Fil-Am veteran, partner eager to pair up with Eala
Sabrina Santamaria and Quinn Gleason expressed their desire to form a future partnership with Filipino tennis star Alex Eala after advancing to the doubles final of the Philippine Women’s Open on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The American pair defeated Chinese Taipei’s Yu-yun Li and Japan’s Sara Saito, 6-2, 6-3, to move into the tournament final, capping another strong showing in a competition being staged in the Philippines for the first time.
Santamaria, a Filipino American whose mother is from Quezon City, said she would welcome the chance to play alongside Alex Eala, calling the rising Filipino star both talented and easy to admire.
“It would be amazing,” said Santamaria, a California native. “She’s a great person and a great player. Hopefully, in the near future, it would be great.”
Gleason echoed that sentiment. She previously faced Eala in doubles at Wimbledon last year and said teaming up with her would be a privilege.
“Anybody would be lucky to play with Alex,” Gleason said. “She’s playing really well in singles and doubles.”
For Santamaria, the week has also carried personal significance. The 32-year-old is competing in Manila for the first time in 24 years and has been playing in front of relatives and Filipino fans.
Family in the stands
“The first tournament in the Philippines is so amazing and we’re just so excited and pumped to be here,” Santamaria said. “The support is really great.”
Santamaria is seeking her fourth WTA Tour doubles title, one she hopes to win with family members watching from the stands.
“I have all my family members here,” she said. “My mom is one of seven siblings, so I have a lot of aunts, uncles and cousins. It’s been such a blessing to be here and have their support.”
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