Alexandra Eala is a Filipino Phenom

Eala lifts up her trophy winning the Washington Open

Asian tennis players are on fire these days. Although Hong Kong's Coleman Wong Chak-lam flamed out in the semi-finals of the Mifel Open a few days ago at an ATP event in Los Cabos, Mexico, Alexandra Eala is hot property now that she is the first Filipino to win a WTA singles title.

The 21-year-old defeated top-seeded Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 today to win the Washington Open in the United States capital.

Eala now ranked No. 20 in the world

"Oh my gosh, winning a [WTA] 500 is insane. It's an incredible milestone for me," she said.

"At the beginning of the week, there is no way I would have thought that I would be holding this trophy. Even at the beginning of the year," Eala said. "These things kind of creep up on you and I hold these moments really close to me."

Now ranked No. 20 in the world, Eala was overcome with joy when she won the game. Like Wong, she also trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, so the Spanish champion's tennis school is definitely honing players' talents to win.

Eala turned heads earlier this summer at Wimbledon when she defeated defending champion and world No. 6 seed Iga Swiatek in the third round. 

Eala learned tennis at four

Not bad for Eala, who comes from a sporty family: her mother Rosemarie Maniego-Eala was a former national swimmer, and her paternal uncle is a former Philippine Sports Commission chairperson and Philippine Basketball Association commissioner, Noila Eala.

At Wimbledon, Eala talked about learning tennis at the age of four from her maternal grandfather Roberto Maniego.

"I went to train with my brother and my grandfather everyday after school with my ruffled socks and my light up shoes and my chubby cheeks," she recalled.

With today's historic win, Eala is definitely one to watch!

Hong Kong's Coleman Wong Cracks Top 100 Tennis Rankings

Coleman now ranked No. 90 in the world

Coleman Wong Chak-lam made history today, becoming the first Hong Kong tennis player to break into the world's top 100 after he advanced to the semifinals of an ATP 250 event.

The 22-year-old became ranked No. 90 after he defeated American Jenson Brooksby 6-1, 7-5 in Los Cabos, Mexico.

He defeated Brooksby on Friday

"I was trying to mix up something and then trying to make him to be the one who was uncomfortable. I am really happy with my performance," Wong said.

Earlier in the week Wong pulled off a major upset defeating world No. 12 Jiri Lehecka 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the previous round.

"I [will] just keep trying to be myself, be the best version of myself and just try to enjoy the tour," Wong said. 

"To be honest, before from Hong Kong, there wasn't anyone that reached this level, so I am really happy and really glad that I can be the one."

Wong will meet France's Arthur Gea, ranked No. 127 tomorrow night 7.30pm PST.

It's so refreshing to see Wong moving up the ranks, playing like he has nothing to lose. He takes in each win with gratefulness, thanking his fans on the court and back in Hong Kong. 

He's scrappy and determined, which makes him all the more endearing.

"For sure you doubt yourself a lot, but it's how you overcome it," Wong told ATP in May. 

"I think everyone, even the best in the world, have a lot of things going on and it's the way you accept it and live with it. Trying to perform as much as you can. That's how you become the best and I'm still trying to learn from all the best players in the world."

Red Hot Canadian Tennis Talent

Fernandez (left) and Williams (right) are playing well together

Team Canada is flaming hot this year at the US Open. 

Montrealer Leylah Fernandez's profile has bumped up exponentially since she had Venus Williams as her doubles partner and the pair -- who only started playing together last week -- are now in the quarter-finals.

The wildcard pair have made the quarter finals

They were a wild card entry, with Fernandez at 22-years-old, and Williams at 45.

Today they defeated 12th-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-4 handily in one hour and 14 minutes.

"We're on the same wavelength and hopefully we can keep it going," said Williams.

"I have full confidence in Venus, and I hope she has full confidence in me during our match," Fernandez said. "We're just going out there, playing our game: Be offensive, aggressive and ready for the ball."

The pair are even getting coaching tips from Serena Williams, and sister Venus suggested on a live interview that it was time for Serena "to show up."

Auger-Aliassime beat Rublev to get into quarters

Then on the Canadian men's side, fellow Montrealer Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. On Saturday Rublev abruptly ended Hongkonger Coleman Wong Chak-lam's fairytale run at the US Open.

"[Monday] is my first time playing on Arthur Ashe in a few years, and I think it feels even better than the first time," said Auger-Aliassime, referring to the 2021 US Open semis. 

"At 21, I was on my way up. I had a few setbacks, injuries, struggles with confidence. Then to come back the second time in the quarterfinals here, it feels much better, more deserved."

It's been exciting watching Fernandez and Auger-Aliassime play awesome tennis and get the recognition they deserve. The future is bright for tennis in Canada!

Wong's Fairytale Run at the US Open Comes to an End

Wong has proved to himself he can play against top players

Coleman Wong Chak-lam's run at the US Open sadly came to an end today, but not without putting up a fight against world No. 15 Russian Andrey Rublev in a five-set thriller, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre's Grandstand court.

The match, which lasted more than three hours, saw Wong take the first and fourth sets, and serve a total of 25 aces. The 21-year-old is pleased with how he has improved significantly.

Rublev (left) said Wong played with no fear

"I'm getting closer, and I've proved to myself that I can do it," Wong said of wanting to break into the top 100. "I need to keep believing. I can see that I have the potential and I can scare the big guys.

"I believe in myself more now. I was still in Challengers, and now I'm in the US Open third round, almost beating a tough top 20 player, going five sets with them. It means I'm capable of pushing them all the way."

Rublev was gracious towards his Hong Kong opponent, ranked No. 173.

"It was a tough match, he played really well," said Rublev on the court afterwards. "He played aggressively and with no fear, it was tough. I didn't start well, he was all over me and I needed to fight for every ball to turn it around.

"He was fighting until the end in the last game. I'm happy I was able to win and get to the next round."

Indeed. Rublev will be facing Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who stunned world No. 3 Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Wong hopes to break into the top 100 rankings

In the meantime, Wong will return to Hong Kong to play in a Davis Cup match against Uzbekistan next month.

He'll probably have a hero's welcome back and a lot of Hongkongers excited to watch him play. We've got Olympic swimmer Siobhan Haughey, fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long, and now tennis phenom Wong.

Wong has put Hong Kong on the map in tennis and definitely one to watch!

Tennis Phenom Coleman Wong Blazing Trails in US Open

Wong is enjoying his ride into the third round of the US Open

The US Open has started and already Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko was eliminated in the first round.

But there's another dark horse to cheer for -- 21-year-old Coleman Wong Chak-lam.

The Hongkonger has made history not only to qualify for the US Open, but to also to be the first to make it to the third round!

Bruce Wong (far left) is so proud of his son

Earlier today the world No. 173 Wong upset No. 85-ranked Australian Adam Walton 7-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in three hours.

There were huge cheers for Wong when the match ended, and he looked in disbelief that he has made it this far.

"I'm swinging it, I'm feeling good," Wong said with a big smile. "This is my first main draw, first best of five, first everything. For me, for Hong Kong, for my team, everything is very new, so, no pressure.

"This is something that I dreamed of. For every tennis player, to keep going in a slam, it's one of the biggest tournaments in the world. So, at the moment, I'm still digesting, I still need to calm down, but I'm really happy."

After the match he used his coach's phone to call his parents to come to New York to watch him play this weekend. His father Bruce is a primary school headmaster, and his wife a teacher, both busy gearing up for the school year that starts on Monday.

Wong will meet No. 15 Rublev in the next match

Bruce Wong told RTHK he didn't have high expectations for his son, but him making it into the third round has made the family proud.

"It was really unbelievable for most of the Hong Kong people, like myself. Of course we're very happy, not only because of the result but the performance," the father said.

"In these few months, there were so many ups and downs, a lot of struggles. We're so happy we can see some good results at this moment."

Wong, who trains at Rafael Nadal's tennis academy in Mallorca, Spain, will next meet Russian Andrey Rublev, ranked No. 15.

"For me, I just want to go out there, enjoy, and I'm in the third round of the US Open, so I don't need to think so much," Wong said. "I just want to go out, enjoy the atmosphere, feel the vibe, and... stay as long as I can, because this is tough. Everyone is so good, everyone is so tough to play, so this means a lot to me."

Wong has an awesome attitude about being in this major tennis tournament -- relishing every moment, and trying not to put too much pressure on himself. He is the underdog, but at the same time totally blazing trails and giving Hongkongers someone to be proud of on the world stage.

Hongkonger Makes into the Main Draw at US Open

Wong is the first Hongkonger in the main draw at US Open

When the US Open starts this weekend, it will be very interesting to watch, not just the debut of Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko, fresh off her win at the National Bank Open in Montreal, but also the first Hongkonger to reach the main draw of the American tennis tournament.

Coleman Wong Chak-lam, 21, beat Brit Billy Harris 6-3, 6-4 to qualify for the US Open.

"At the moment I don't know what I'm thinking," Wong said immediately after his historic win. "It was tough last night. I didn't sleep the best knowing how close I was.

Wong (left) won US Open boys doubles in 2021

"I know I have the level, and I know I just need to be calm and to play my game. I'm in the main draw and I want to go for more."

In the first round Wong may encounter the likes of Jack Draper, Ben Shelton, or Andrey Rublev in the first round that starts on Sunday.

It won't be Wong's first rodeo, as he won the boys' doubles championship in 2021. 

Nevertheless, according to the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association, Ip Koon Hung was the last player from Hong Kong to compete in the main draw of the men's singles at the US Open back in 1947.

Ip and another man, Edward Tsai both representing Hong Kong have ever reached a tennis major in the Open era -- most recently in 1954.

Ip was the first when he played at Wimbledon in 1951, and did it again the following year.

Meanwhile Tsai managed to reach the second round in 1953 and 1954, the last time a Hongkonger appeared at a slam.