Filipinas Alex Eala and Janelle Mae Frayna made history in Philippine sports, with Eala winning her first US Open match on August 25 and Frayna claiming the Ladies Blitz title at the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival on August 22.
Fresh off her historic Wimbledon 2025 run, Eala broke new ground by becoming the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam main draw match after outmuscling Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the first round of the US Open.
Down 1–5 in the deciding set, the 20-year-old tennis star mounted a thrilling comeback to force a tiebreak, where she outlasted the world No. 14 in a two-hour-and-36-minute battle.
The Filipina showed nerves of steel as she fended off Tauson’s big serves and late rallies, ultimately sealing the win with a backhand winner followed by a forced error to close out a gripping 6–3, 2–6, 7–6 scoreline.
After the match, Eala expressed her elation, citing how “blessed” she felt to be the first Filipino to reach the milestone.
“I take so much pride in representing my country. It makes what I do bigger than myself, and it adds meaning to what I do,” Eala said. “Always in the mood for more history. This match is one for the books for me.”
Currently ranked No. 75 by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), Eala now advances to the US Open second round, where she will face world No. 95, Spain’s Cristina Bucsa.
Meanwhile, Frayna, the country’s first and only Woman Grandmaster, delivered another proud moment for Philippine chess by capturing the championship of the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival – Ladies Blitz, sealing the win with a draw against Uzbek International Master Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova.
Throughout the nine-round event, the 29-year-old from Bicol dominated a field of 120 participants from 24 countries with an undefeated score of eight points, securing seven wins and two draws.
“This is my first time playing in the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival. Thank you to our Pinoy friends who made us feel at home,” said Frayna in a post.
“It’s one tough tournament, but I will surely give my best,” she added.
Frayna was also competing in the ultra-strong Masters Open standard division.
