In a remarkable display of resilience and skill, Marian Capadocia staged a stunning comeback at the Philta Women's National Open, held at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Malate. On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Capadocia, competing in her first tournament after giving birth, eliminated the fourth seed Kaye Ann Emana with a hard-fought score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. This victory propels her into the Round of 16, where she is set to face Yuki Madrio, who secured her spot by defeating No. 14 Amelia Baulite 6-4, 6-0.
Capadocia's Inspirational Return to the Court
Expressing her joy and determination, Capadocia shared, "It's good to be back. And I love the pressure, being a mom while playing, it's really good, especially my baby is watching. So it's good inspiration for me." Her return is particularly notable given her impressive track record, including securing a record 10 singles titles at the 2024 Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open. This achievement underscores her status as a formidable force in Philippine tennis, blending motherhood with athletic excellence.
Advancements of Other Top Seeds
The tournament, supported by Tecnifibre and the Philippine Sports Commission, also saw strong performances from other seeded players. Top-seeded Tennielle Madis delivered a dominant performance, demolishing Avemaria Policarpio 6-0, 6-0. She will now meet No. 15 Bea Gomez in the third round, who advanced with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over May Bautista.
Second seed Stefi Marithe Aludo continued the trend of decisive wins, clobbering Althea Azures 6-0, 6-0. Her next opponent is No. 13 Mekaela Vicencio, who triumphed over Mary Basas 6-1, 6-1. These results highlight the competitive intensity of the early rounds, with many matches ending in straight sets.
Additional Seeded Players Progressing
Other notable advancements include third seed Tiffany Nocos, who drubbed Dyeinah Olalo 6-1, 6-0, setting up a match against No. 16 Lourianne Jallorina, a 6-4, 6-4 winner over Mary Natano. Fifth seed Angeline Alcala showcased her tenacity by rallying past Kaye Muztaza 3-6, 6-1, 6-1, and will now face No. 10 Jayden Ballado, who defeated Sophia Opoc 6-1, 6-0.
Sixth seed Elizabeth Abarquez downed Shiloh Cruz 6-1, 6-1, advancing to play Paula Ysabelle Uy, a 6-1, 6-2 victor over Nealen Ras. Seventh seed Mica Emana conquered Khalila Imalay 6-3, 6-4, arranging a clash with No. 11 Annika Diwa, who won over Remedios Del 6-1, 6-2. Lastly, eighth seed Althea Faye Ong waylaid Geryline Reside 6-0, 6-0, and will face Joana Peña, who blanked Ava Banson 6-0, 6-0.
The Philta Women's National Open continues to showcase the depth of talent in Philippine tennis, with players like Capadocia leading the charge in a tournament filled with thrilling matches and inspiring stories.
