Alexandra Eala’s star continues to rise as the 20-year-old Filipino sensation delivered a commanding performance in her Sao Paulo Open debut, dispatching France’s Yasmine Mansouri 6-0, 6-2 on Tuesday. With this emphatic first-round victory, Eala, seeded third, extended her winning streak and set up a highly anticipated round-of-16 clash against Argentina’s Julia Riera, scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
Eala’s win was nothing short of dominant. She stormed through the first nine games, leaving Mansouri scrambling for answers. The numbers behind her victory tell the story: Eala won 69.4 percent of her service points (34 of 49) and an impressive 60.8 percent of her return points (31 of 51). Perhaps most notably, she saved all four break points she faced, demonstrating nerves of steel and a champion’s composure under pressure.
Reflecting on her performance and the electric atmosphere, Eala said after the match, “This is my first time in Brazil and my first time in South America, actually, so I’m so happy to see that the crowd is so lively. I didn’t expect so many people to come out and watch me play. I guess I was a bit lucky to be sandwiched in between two great Brazilians, so I’m just happy to be here and to be able to play well.” The lively Sao Paulo crowd certainly seemed to fuel her, and Eala’s joy at the reception was palpable.
This latest triumph comes on the heels of Eala’s breakthrough at the Guadalajara Open, where she captured her first WTA Challenger title just last week. That win marked a significant milestone in her career, and she has wasted no time in carrying that momentum to Brazil. Her current run includes six consecutive match wins, a testament to her growing consistency and confidence on the tour.
Diving deeper into Tuesday’s match, Eala’s tactical sharpness was on full display. She engineered 10 break-point opportunities on Mansouri’s serve and converted five of them. Her return game was particularly ruthless, as she won 81 percent of all points on Mansouri’s second serve. With only four double faults to her name, the Filipino starlet barely put a foot wrong throughout the contest.
It’s been a season of both highs and learning moments for Eala. While she’s enjoyed deep runs at bigger events—semifinals in Canberra and Miami, a final in Eastbourne, and a quarterfinal showing in Ilkley—she’s also endured her share of early exits. Still, her stats speak to a player on the rise: 17 aces in 19 matches, a 56.1 percent first-serve points won rate, and a break-point conversion rate nearing 47.5 percent. Those numbers, combined with her recent performances, suggest she’s finding her groove at just the right time.
Her next opponent, Julia Riera, is no stranger to big stages herself. The Argentine cracked the Australian Open main draw for the first time this year and made a semifinal run at Copa Colsanitas. Riera, who has carved out a solid reputation on the ITF circuit with seven singles and two doubles titles, brings her own set of strengths—particularly her serve. She’s fired 25 aces in just six matches and boasts a 64.4 percent first-serve win rate. However, her return game (42.5 percent points won) leaves a bit more to be desired, potentially giving Eala an edge if she can capitalize.
The head-to-head between Eala and Riera is tied at 1-1, with both encounters taking place in 2024. Riera drew first blood in Cary with a gritty comeback victory, but Eala evened the score at Roland Garros, sweeping through in straight sets. With both players seeking their maiden tour-level titles, Wednesday’s matchup is set to be a fascinating battle of rising stars.
Bookmakers are favoring Eala heavily, setting her odds at 1/5 compared to Riera’s 7/2, reflecting not only her recent form but also her overall edge in experience and shot-making. Still, Riera’s serve could make things interesting, and with both players hungry for a breakthrough, anything can happen on the day.
Elsewhere in Sao Paulo, other seeds also made strong starts. Mexican No. 5 seed Renata Zarazua breezed past Brazil’s Luiza Fullana 6-2, 6-1, while British No. 6 seed Francesca Jones rallied to defeat Israel’s Lina Glushko 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Hungary’s eighth seed Panna Udvardy swept Anna Rogers 6-2, 6-3. The night session was set to feature top-seeded home favorite Beatriz Haddad Maia against Italy’s Miriana Tona, promising more excitement for the local fans.
Meanwhile, at the Guadalajara Open Akron, German sixth seed Tatjana Maria overcame a rain delay to secure a 6-4, 6-2 win over Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez. Canadian Marina Stakusic battled back after the rain to defeat Russia’s Polina Kudermetova 3-6, 7-5, 6-4. Other matches were still awaiting completion as the weather continued to play a role in the tournament’s early rounds.
The Sao Paulo Open’s round of 16 is shaping up to be a showcase of both established contenders and emerging talents. In addition to Eala versus Riera, fans can look forward to Victoria Rodriguez facing Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah—who staged an astonishing comeback from 0-5 in the final set to win her opener—Janice Tjen against Martina Okalova, Francesca Jones versus Whitney Osuigwe, and Solana Sierra taking on 15-year-old Brazilian sensation Nauhany Vitoria Leme de Silva. Leme de Silva recently made history as the first player born in 2010 to win a WTA match, adding to the excitement and unpredictability of the tournament.
As the action heats up, all eyes will be on Alexandra Eala to see if she can maintain her blistering form and continue her march toward a maiden tour-level title. With the crowd behind her and momentum on her side, Eala’s journey in Sao Paulo is one to watch closely. The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in the career of one of tennis’s most promising young stars.
