In a stunning display of skill and determination, Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk decisively defeated the rising star from the Philippines, Alexandra Eala, with a commanding score of 6–0, 6–1 in the opening round of the 2025 Italian Open on Wednesday, May 7. The match, held at the Grand Stand Arena in Rome, marked the first encounter between the two players, with Kostyuk, ranked 27th in the world, showcasing her prowess against the 19-year-old Eala, who recently reached a career-high ranking of 70.
The match started with a fierce opening game that lasted a grueling 10 minutes, during which Eala fought hard to hold serve. Despite her early resistance, Kostyuk managed to edge out the game, taking a 1–0 lead, and then proceeded to sweep the first set entirely. The Ukrainian's consistent groundstrokes and aggressive baseline play allowed her to control the match from the outset, capitalizing on every opportunity.
Eala, who had been riding high after her impressive run to the Miami Open semifinals just a few weeks prior, struggled to find her rhythm on the heavy clay of Rome. Despite her previous successes, including a notable victory over world No. 2 Iga Świątek, she found herself outmatched in this encounter. "I feel sorry for them, to be honest," Kostyuk remarked after the match, reflecting on the pressures young players face as they navigate the competitive landscape of professional tennis.
In the second set, Kostyuk extended her lead to 4–0, maintaining her aggressive play and sharp returns. Eala finally managed to break through at 1–4, but the momentum shift was short-lived as Kostyuk quickly regained control, sealing the match at 6–1 in just over an hour. Eala's opening-round loss came after a total of 62 minutes on the court, marking a disappointing start to her campaign in Rome.
Despite the defeat, Eala's journey in the tournament is far from over. She will shift her focus to the doubles draw, where she is set to partner with American sensation Coco Gauff. The duo will face the pairing of Russia's Alexandra Panova and Hungary's Fanny Stollár in their opening match, scheduled for Friday, May 9. Eala expressed her excitement about the doubles competition, stating, "It's such a blessing to have such a big community here in Rome. So many places feel like home because of that."
Kostyuk, on the other hand, looks to build on her momentum as she advances to the second round, where she will face Canada's Leylah Fernandez. The two players have met six times before, with Kasatkina leading their head-to-head record 4-2. Kostyuk's recent form has been impressive, having reached the semifinals in Madrid the previous week, and she aims to continue her strong performance in this prestigious tournament.
The match statistics paint a clear picture of Kostyuk's dominance on the court. She won 59 of the 89 total points played, while Eala managed to secure only 30. Kostyuk also converted 6 of her 17 break points, showcasing her ability to capitalize on Eala's mistakes. In contrast, Eala failed to convert any of her break point opportunities, finishing the match with 0 for 0 in that category. Kostyuk's service game was particularly strong, winning 66.67% of her first serve points compared to Eala's 44.83%.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Kostyuk as she seeks to establish herself as a formidable contender on the WTA tour. Meanwhile, Eala's resilience and determination will be tested as she transitions to doubles play, where she hopes to leverage her skills alongside Gauff.
The Italian Open, part of the WTA 1000 series, continues to attract top talent from around the globe, providing a platform for both established stars and emerging players like Eala to shine. As the tournament unfolds, fans can expect exciting matchups and thrilling performances as players vie for the prestigious title.
With Kostyuk's impressive victory and Eala's promising future in doubles, the 2025 Italian Open is shaping up to be an unforgettable event in the world of tennis.
