Osorio is first PH Women’s Open champ
Camila Osorio arrived in the Philippines as one of the many contenders in a new tournament. She left as the first champion.
The 22-year-old Colombian rallied from a set down on Saturday to defeat Croatian star Donna Vekic, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, and win the inaugural WTA 125 Philippine Open at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Osorio sealed the victory with an ace on championship point, breaking a tense 5-all deadlock in the final set.
“I have no words to describe how I’m feeling right now,” Osorio said. “I’m super happy to be here in the Philippines for the first time and in front of all of you. It’s a pleasure to play here.”
The title duel began with the well-loved Vekic, one of the tournament favorites, asserting control early. She took the opening set as Osorio struggled to find rhythm.
But the Colombian steadied herself in the second set and her adjustments paid off as she broke serve twice to level the match and shift momentum.
The deciding set turned into a nerve-racking exchange. At 5-all, Osorio broke Vekic before serving out the match with authority.
“It’s been a great week for all of us, especially with how you treat us,” Osorio said. “I hope I can come back in the future. I also want to congratulate Donna for such a great week.”
Osorio’s title run included wins over Argentina’s Solana Sierra in the semifinals and Filipino star Alex Eala in the quarterfinals.
Vekic reached the final after ousting Tatiana Prozorova in the semifinal.
Earlier on Friday, the doubles title went to the Chinese tandem of Hong Kong’s Eudice Chong and Chinese Taipei’s Liang En-shuo, who outlasted American Quinn Gleason and Filipino American Sabrina Santamaria, 2-6, 7-6 (2), 10-6.
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