Filipina Tennis Star Alex Eala Arrives In Brazil For WTA 250 Sao Paolo Open

SAO PAOLO, Brazil—“Hello Filiprima! After winning the title in Guadalajara, Alex Eala landed in Brazil for the first time has already sent a message to the Brazilian fans,” Sao Paolo Open Instagram posted.

Eala, 20, said in the video conversation that ‘Filiprima’ (Filipino cousin) is nice and cute to hear. Portuguese is the language in Brazil.

“Oi, Brasil. Aqui é sua "filiprima", Alex Eala,” she said in Portuguese.(Hi, Brazil. Here is your "Fili-cousin"/"Filipino cousin" Alex Eala.)

“I’m so excited to play in San Paolo and it’s my very first time in Brazil. I hear that the crowd is amazing and super passionate. So excited to see the event,” Eala said in another SP Open Instagram post.

Eala is set to face France’s Yasmin Mansouri, 24, in SP Open with WTA current ranking of 380.

Eala rose to 61 in World Tennis Association (WTA) ranking from 75 after winning the Guadalajara Open in Mexico. She defeated Hungary's Panna Udvardy in a three-set final with a score of 1-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Eala shocked the tennis world when she advanced to the semifinals in Miami earlier this year.

SP Open will run from September 8 to 14. The Brazilian city last hosted a WTA event in 2000.

Cover photo: SP Open Instagram