Alexandra "Alex" Eala, the rising tennis star from the Philippines, saw her spirited run at the 2025 Guangzhou Open come to a close on Saturday, October 25th, as she and Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok bowed out in the doubles semifinals. The duo fought valiantly but ultimately fell to the formidable team of Indonesia’s Janice Tjen and Poland’s Katarzyna Piter, with a final scoreline of 7-6(4), 3-6, 5-10. For Eala, this marks yet another deep run in a doubles event, even as her singles campaign in Guangzhou ended earlier than hoped.
Let’s set the stage: the Guangzhou Open has become a proving ground for emerging talents and established names alike. For Eala, who has been steadily climbing the ranks since her days at the Rafa Nadal Academy, this tournament offered a chance to showcase her growing prowess on the doubles court. Teaming up with the experienced Kichenok, Eala navigated a tricky draw and delivered several impressive performances before their semifinal showdown.
The path to the semifinals was anything but easy. In the round of 16, Eala and Kichenok dispatched the pair of Tang Qianhui from China and Emily Appleton from the United Kingdom in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. Their momentum continued into the quarterfinals, where they took on Russians Polina Kudermetova and Kamilla Rakhimova. The Filipino-Ukrainian tandem showed poise under pressure, securing a 6-3, 7-5 victory that punched their ticket to the final four.
But the semifinal clash against Tjen and Piter was always going to be a stern test. The Polish-Indonesian pair came into the match brimming with confidence, and the contest did not disappoint. The opening set was a nail-biter. Eala and Kichenok found themselves in an early hole, trailing 1-4 in the tiebreak. Yet, they refused to back down, stringing together six consecutive points to snatch the set 7-6(4). The resilience on display was classic Eala—gritty, determined, and never out of a fight.
However, the tide began to turn in the second set. After a promising 2-0 start, Eala and Kichenok lost their rhythm, dropping five games in a row as Tjen and Piter forced a deciding super tiebreak. The momentum was now firmly with the opposition. In the match tiebreak, the Polish-Indonesian duo raced to a 9-3 lead, leaving little room for a comeback. Despite their best efforts, Eala and Kichenok could not close the gap, and Tjen and Piter clinched the victory with a 10-5 finish in the decider.
This loss means Eala and Kichenok miss out on a shot at the Guangzhou doubles title, but their journey to the semifinals was filled with moments of brilliance. For Eala, the defeat also rekindles a budding rivalry with Janice Tjen. Only last month, Tjen bested Eala in the quarterfinals of the Sao Paulo Open singles event, 6-4, 6-1, before finishing as runner-up. It seems Tjen has become something of a nemesis for the Filipino ace, at least for now. Will Eala turn the tables in their next encounter? Tennis fans will surely be watching closely.
On the singles side, Eala’s campaign in Guangzhou was cut short by a first-round loss to Claire Liu in the round of 32. While the early exit was a disappointment, it’s a reminder of the fierce competition on the WTA circuit and the fine margins that separate victory from defeat. Still, Eala’s ability to regroup and make a deep run in doubles speaks volumes about her resilience and versatility as a player.
"We gave it our all, but sometimes the other side just finds another gear," Eala said after the match, according to GMA Integrated News. Her partner, Kichenok, echoed the sentiment: "It was a tough match, and we fought for every point. There’s a lot to build on from this week." The camaraderie between the two was evident throughout the tournament, with their complementary styles posing problems for every team they faced.
For Eala, this Guangzhou campaign adds another chapter to her rapidly growing résumé. The 20-year-old has already achieved several milestones in her young career, including Grand Slam junior titles and a slew of ITF and WTA wins. Her partnership with Kichenok—a seasoned doubles specialist—provided a valuable learning experience and a glimpse into what the future might hold if she continues to focus on doubles alongside her singles ambitions.
Looking ahead, Eala’s journey is far from over. She is expected to compete next at the Hong Kong Tennis Open, set to begin next week. The quick turnaround offers little time for rest, but Eala has never shied away from a packed schedule. Her supporters back home in the Philippines and fans worldwide will be eager to see how she bounces back from this latest test.
Meanwhile, for Janice Tjen and Katarzyna Piter, the victory propels them into the Guangzhou Open doubles final. Their form throughout the tournament has been impressive, and they’ll be favorites to lift the trophy if they maintain this level. For Tjen in particular, the win over Eala adds to her growing reputation as one of the most dangerous doubles and singles players from Southeast Asia.
It’s worth noting that the Guangzhou Open has long been a stage where new partnerships are forged and rivalries are born. The chemistry between Eala and Kichenok was evident, and while their run ended in heartbreak, there’s every chance the tennis world hasn’t seen the last of this pairing. Could they reunite for future tournaments? Only time will tell, but their performance this week suggests they have the tools to contend at the highest level.
For now, Eala will regroup and set her sights on Hong Kong, where another opportunity awaits. The lessons from Guangzhou—both the highs of their quarterfinal triumphs and the lows of a narrow semifinal defeat—will surely serve her well as she continues her ascent in the world of professional tennis.
With the action in Guangzhou wrapping up and anticipation building for the Hong Kong Tennis Open, tennis fans have plenty to look forward to. Eala’s journey, marked by determination and flashes of brilliance, remains one of the sport’s most compelling stories. As the season rolls on, don’t be surprised if she’s back in the thick of the action, chasing another title and perhaps a bit of revenge against familiar foes.
