Stefi Aludo is aiming to be the fifth Filipino player to compete in the main draw of the Philippine Women’s Open.
Stefi Aludo is now one win away from the Philippine Women’s Open main draw after quickly taking down compatriot Angeline Alcala, 6-1, 6-0, in qualifiers at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Saturday.
Aludo, 17, was given the chance to play for a main draw slot after changes to the player list were made close to the event.
Having recently won a bronze medal from the SEA Games 2025, Aludo was able to put her best foot forward against Alcala — even as she took time to get used to buzzing atmosphere of the Philippine Women’s Open.
“Yung mindset ko lang po yun nung una talaga is no hesitation po sa strokes ko and yun yung game plan namin na kahit [ano] mangyari, habulin lahat yung laro,” she said in the post-game press conference.
“Yun gagamitin lahat yung practice po talaga namin,” she added.
Aludo now moves on to face the top-seeded qualifier in Sakura Hosogi, with the winner getting to the main tournament.
Meanwhile, the other match saw 33-year-old Peangtarn Plipuech drub Filipina netter Lauraine Jallorina, 6-0, 6-1, to set up her own clash against Rina Saigo.
Winners of the qualifying matches slated on Sunday will book their ticket to the main draw beginning on Monday.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.