By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Alexandra “Alex” Eala captured the Evonne Goolagong Cawley Trophy after emerging as the women’s singles champion of the 35th Kooyong Classic at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne, Australia over the weekend.

The 20-year-old Filipina netter claimed her sixth women’s singles title at the prestigious exhibition tournament after defeating 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist Donna Vekic of Croatia, 6-3, 6-4, in their rematch on January 14.

Event organizers announced Eala’s victory through social media, sharing photos of the Filipina receiving the elegant Evonne Goolagong Cawley Trophy, named in honor of the legendary Australian tennis star.

“Congratulations to our women’s 2026 Kooyong Classic Champion,” the Kooyong Classic said in its post.

While the Kooyong Classic marked its 35th edition this year, the women’s division has been staged for only six years.

Eala topped a competitive field that previously featured several prominent players, including former WTA World’s No. 9 Mirra Andreeva of Russia (2024), former World’s No. 17 and current No. 70 Vekic (2023), current World’s No. 10 and former No. 4 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland (2018), former World’s No. 12 Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium (2017), and former World’s No. 28 Rachel McQuillan of Australia.

Eala’s Kooyong triumph adds another milestone to her growing résumé as she continues her preparations for the upcoming Australian Open./ASC, WDJ