Japanese Top Seed Sakura Hosogi Cruises into Philippine Women's Open Main Draw
In a display of skill and determination, Japan's Sakura Hosogi lived up to her billing as the top seed in the qualifying round, advancing to the main draw of the Philippine Women's Open with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 victory over local hopeful Stefi Aludo. The match took place at the newly refurbished Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Malate, Manila on Sunday, drawing attention from tennis enthusiasts across the region.
Hosogi's Commanding Performance
The 25-year-old Japanese player, who has an impressive record of seven ITF singles titles, needed just over an hour to dispatch the Filipino teen. Hosogi expressed a mix of nerves and excitement after the match, stating, "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." Her performance highlighted her readiness for the Women's Tennis Association stage, showcasing powerful serves and precise groundstrokes that kept Aludo on the defensive throughout the encounter.
Aludo's Valiant Effort and Lessons Learned
On the other side of the net, 17-year-old Stefi Aludo, an ITF junior doubles titlist and a bronze medalist at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games, fought hard with a variety of shots but ultimately found herself outmatched by Hosogi's experience and consistency. Reflecting on the match, Aludo said, "I changed my game, but it did not work. But I learned a lot from her. Next time, I need to be more focused on my game and not be intimidated." Her debut at this level, despite the loss, marks a significant step in her budding career, offering valuable insights for future competitions.
Other Qualifiers and Upcoming Matches
Joining Hosogi in the main draw are several other international players who secured their spots through strong performances:
- Japan's Miho Kuramochi, who dominated American Mia Horvit with a 6-2, 6-1 scoreline.
- Slovakia's Viktoria Morvayova, who overcame Argentinian Nicole Fossa Huergo in a tight 7-5, 6-3 match.
- Thailand's Peangtarn Plipuech, who defeated Japanese player Rina Saigo 6-2, 6-3.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on wild card entry Alex Eala, who is set to face Russian Alina Charaeva in a highly anticipated match scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday. The event is expected to draw a sellout crowd, adding to the excitement of the tournament.
Significance of the Philippine Women's Open
The Philippine Women's Open holds special importance as the inaugural project of the National Sports Tourism-Inter-Agency Committee. This committee was established to enhance the country's sports tourism agenda, aiming to attract international athletes and fans while boosting local economic and cultural engagement. The tournament not only showcases top-tier tennis talent but also serves as a platform for promoting the Philippines as a premier destination for sports events.
