Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra Eala is making headlines once again as she embarks on a pivotal week at the 2025 Guangzhou Open, riding the momentum of a career-best ranking and a renewed doubles campaign. The 20-year-old, who now sits at No. 53 in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings as of Monday, October 20, 2025, continues to capture the imagination of tennis fans across Asia and beyond. With both singles and doubles action on her plate, Eala is determined to turn the tide after a series of early exits and set the stage for a strong finish to her Asian swing.
Eala’s rise in the rankings is no small feat. Just two weeks ago, she was ranked 54th, and her latest leap to 53rd comes after accumulating 1,131 ranking points, up from 1,123. This steady climb is a testament to her consistency in the smaller WTA tournaments across Asia, including stops in Jingshan, Suzhou, Osaka, and Wuhan. As reported by local media, "Eala rose to a career-best 53rd at the latest Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings on Monday." This achievement arrives just as she prepares to compete in both the singles and doubles divisions at the Guangzhou Open, a tournament that could further boost her burgeoning career.
In the singles draw, Eala is seeded fourth and is set to face a qualifier in her opening match. The draw, released just ahead of the tournament, hints at a challenging path: should she progress, she could meet Anna Bondár or Guo Hanyu in the second round. It's worth noting that Eala’s previous appearance at the Guangzhou Open ended in disappointment, as she bowed out in the first round to Bernarda Pera with a lopsided 6-0, 6-3 defeat in 2024. But with her current form and ranking, expectations are running high for a deeper run this year.
Her recent singles performances have been a mixed bag. Eala is coming off a first-round exit at the Japan Open, where she fell to Czech player Tereza Valentova, 1-6, 2-6, on October 14, 2025. Despite that setback, her overall 2025 record stands at an impressive 39-24, including a 24-12 tally on hard courts. Notably, she has reached the finals in both Eastbourne and Guadalajara earlier this year, signaling her ability to compete at the highest level when in form.
But it’s her return to doubles that has many fans buzzing. Eala last played doubles at Wimbledon in early July 2025, partnering with Eva Lys. That outing ended in a first-round defeat to Quinn Gleason and Ingrid Martins, 4-6, 2-6. Since then, Eala has focused almost exclusively on singles, making her doubles appearance in Guangzhou all the more significant. As one outlet put it, "Eala is set to break a four-month doubles playing streak at the Guangzhou Open starting October 20, 2025, continuing her Asian swing."
For her doubles comeback, Eala is teaming up with veteran Ukrainian Nadiia Kichenok, a seasoned doubles specialist with 11 career titles, including four alongside her twin sister Lyudmyla. Kichenok holds a current doubles ranking of 62, while Eala is ranked 204th in doubles as of October 20, 2025. The pair’s debut was initially scheduled for Monday, October 20, but was delayed by a day, setting up an intriguing round of 16 clash against the British-Chinese duo of Emily Appleton and Qianhui Tang. Should Eala and Kichenok advance, they would face either the Russian pairing of Kamilla Rakhimova and Polina Kudermetova or the Thai-Chinese team of Peangtarn Plipuech and Wushuang Zheng in the quarterfinals.
Kichenok’s experience is expected to be a valuable asset for Eala, who is still finding her footing in the doubles format. According to reports, "Kichenok is a doubles specialist who sports 11 titles including four championships with her twin sister Lyudmyla." The Ukrainian’s veteran savvy could be just what Eala needs to make a statement in the doubles draw after her earlier struggles this season.
The doubles field in Guangzhou is shaping up to be highly competitive. Appleton and Tang, Eala and Kichenok’s first opponents, are reuniting for the first time since reaching the quarterfinals of the WTA 125 event in Saint-Malo, France, back in May 2025. Meanwhile, the Russian duo of Rakhimova and Kudermetova, potential quarterfinal adversaries, have both demonstrated prowess in both singles and doubles formats.
On the singles side, the Guangzhou Open draw is stacked with talent. Besides Eala, other notable names include China’s Yafan Wang, who boasts a 27-31 win-loss record in 2025 and leads head-to-head matchups against several likely opponents. Kamilla Rakhimova, with a 27-31 record this season (12-19 on hard courts), and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, holding a 29-24 record, also feature prominently. Alycia Parks, Ann Li, and Guo Hanyu round out a field that promises plenty of drama and upsets.
Eala’s hard-court credentials are solid. Over the past seven years, she has amassed a 129-67 record on hard surfaces, underscoring her comfort and adaptability on the Asian swing. Her recent form—winning five of her last ten matches—suggests she’s capable of making a deep run if she can find her rhythm early in the tournament.
As for the doubles event, Eala’s partnership with Kichenok is one to watch. The Filipino has made no secret of her desire to improve her doubles credentials, and this week offers a golden opportunity. After her early exit at Wimbledon, Eala is eager for redemption. The prospect of facing seasoned teams right from the outset is daunting, but with Kichenok by her side, there’s a palpable sense of optimism.
The Guangzhou Open also serves as a crucial platform for Asian and international players looking to bolster their rankings and build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. For Eala, every match is a chance to showcase her growth, both as a singles contender and a doubles threat.
With her singles campaign set to begin soon and her doubles debut with Kichenok creating plenty of buzz, Alexandra Eala is at the center of attention in Guangzhou. Fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on her progress as she aims to capitalize on her career-high ranking and put recent disappointments behind her. The action is just getting started, and for Eala, this could be the week that defines her 2025 season.
