Ralph Edwin Villanueva - Philstar.com
August 25, 2025 | 3:34pm
Eala guaranteed P8.7 million for US Open first round win
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 24: Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates match point against Clara Tauson of Denmark during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day One of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 24, 2025 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
MANILA, Philippines — Aside from the wealth of experience at the US Open, Alex Eala also has, well, wealth to bring home after her historic Grand Slam win.
Eala barged into the next round of the 2025 US Open after outlasting World No. 14 Clara Tauson in their round of 128 matchup early Monday morning (Manila time), 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13/11).
The Filipina won the first set, 6-3, before succumbing in the second set against her opponent from Denmark, 6-2.
In the third set, she trailed 1-5 and was about to have an early exit from the final Grand Slam tournament of the year. But she dug out of the hole and outlasted Tauson to punch a ticket to the round of 64.
With her first round win, Eala is assured of at least $154,000, or P8.7 million.
This, thanks to the largest prize pot in tennis history.
This year’s US open total prize pot rose to a whopping $90 million, or about P5.1 billion.
Those who bow out of the competition in the singles’ first round, such as Tauson, will not go home empty-handed. They will bring home $110,000, or about P6.2 million.
If Eala wins in the next round, she will be assured of at least $237,000, or P13.4 million.
Those who reach the round of 16 will be assured of at least $400,000 (P22.6 million); quarterfinals, $660,000 (37.3 million); semifinalists, $1.26 million (P71.3 million); and the runner-up, $2.5 million (P141.6 million).
The grand champion of the singles’ tournament will take home $5 million, or P283.2 million.
After her two-hour 36 minute marathon against Tauson, the Filipina will be back in action on Wednesday, as she awaits the winner between Cristina Bucsa and Claire Liu.
