Sakura Hosogi Secures Main Draw Berth with Convincing Victory
Japanese tennis star Sakura Hosogi delivered a commanding performance on Sunday, January 25, 2026, overpowering local hopeful Stefi Marithe Aludo with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 victory. This impressive win in the qualifying rounds earned Hosogi a coveted spot in the main draw of the inaugural Philippine Women's Open, which officially commences on Monday, January 26, 2026.
Rain-Delayed Match Fails to Halt Hosogi's Momentum
The top-seeded qualifier, 25-year-old Hosogi from Matsue, Japan, showcased her experience and skill despite a 30-minute interruption due to rain. With seven ITF singles titles already to her name, Hosogi needed just one hour and four minutes to eliminate the 17-year-old Aludo on center court at the newly-renovated Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. She became the first player from the two-day qualifying tournament to advance to the main WTA 125 competition, which receives support from the Philippine Sports Commission.
"I was nervous, but I am also happy to make it to the main draw of the Philippine Women's Open in my first WTA tournament," Hosogi expressed in halting English during a post-match interview. Her quick victory demonstrated why she entered as the favorite in the qualifying rounds.
Aludo Reflects on Learning Experience Against Seasoned Opponent
For the young Filipino player Stefi Marithe Aludo, the match served as a valuable learning opportunity against a more experienced international competitor. "I had nothing to lose. Binago ko rin yung laro ko pero wala ring akong magawa. I varied my shots pero magaling talaga po yung Japanese," Aludo admitted after the match.
The promising teenager, who trains under former national standout Bobbie Angelo at the Philippine Tennis Academy, added: "But I learned a lot from her. Next time I needed to be more focused on my game and not be intimidated." Despite the loss, Aludo's participation in this high-level tournament represents significant progress for Philippine tennis development.
Additional Qualifiers Join Hosogi in Main Draw
Hosogi will not be alone in transitioning from qualifiers to the main competition. She will be joined by:
- Japanese compatriot Miho Kuramochi, who dominated American Mia Horvit 6-2, 6-1
- Russian player Viktoria Morvayova, who defeated Argentina's Nicole Fossa Huergo 7-5, 6-3
These international players add to the diverse field competing in this landmark tennis event organized by the Philippine Tennis Association.
Historic Tournament Marks New Era for Philippine Tennis
The Philippine Women's Open represents the first major project of the National Sports Tourism-InterAgency Committee (NST-IAC) for 2026, led by Philippine Sports Commission Chairperson Patrick "Pato" Gregorio. This WTA 125 tournament was born from a desire to establish a professional tennis competition that the Philippines could proudly call its own.
All eyes now turn to Monday's opening matches, particularly the highly anticipated debut of hometown favorite Alex Eala. The Filipino tennis sensation, who boasts a career-high world ranking of No. 49 and enters as the tournament's No. 2 seed, will face Russian opponent Alina Charaeva (world No. 169) in front of an expected sellout crowd.
Filipino Contenders Ready for First Round Action
Beyond Eala's headline match, three additional Filipina players will compete in first-round action:
- Kaye Ann Emana faces Tatiana Prozorova of Russia
- Tennielle Madis meets Thai opponent Mananchaya Sawankaew
- Elizabeth Abarquez tackles Japanese player Mai Hontama
This diverse field of international and local talent promises an exciting week of competition at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center, marking a significant milestone for women's professional tennis in the Philippines.
