A football-style atmosphere with fans chanting and waving Philippines flags followed Alexandra Eala for her Australian Open main draw debut. She won the first set without dropping a game but then Alycia Parks rallied to win 0-6, 6-3, 6-2. Eala has gained a big following among Filipino fans since her breakthrough in the last 12 months.
$1 billion gets a permanent seat on Trump's Board of Peace for Gaza, as India and others invited'60 Minutes' airs report on Trump deportations that was suddenly pulled a month agoRepublicans and Democrats are trying to contain Trump's Greenland aggression.
Will it be enough?Heckler yells 'leave Greenland alone!' during US national anthem at NBA game in LondonBox Office: ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ opens behind ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’Trump's voice in a new Fannie Mae ad is generated by artificial intelligence, with his permissionMonkeys are on the loose in St. Louis and AI is complicating efforts to capture themRaccoon goes on drunken rampage in Virginia liquor store and passes out on bathroom floorDoes lip balm help chapped lips? Here's what to knowLetter writing enjoys a revival as fans seek connection and a break from screen timeFood companies are targeting users of weight-loss drugs with 'GLP-1 Friendly' labelsIn a warming world, freshwater production is moving deep beneath the seaSome people tape their mouths shut at night. Doctors wish they wouldn'tAfter menopause, resistance training is essential. How to get keep bones and muscles strongLetter writing enjoys a revival as fans seek connection and a break from screen timeBuddhist monks and their dog captivate Americans while walking for peacePopulista de ultraderecha gana su lugar en segunda vuelta de elección presidencial de Portugal Will it be enough?Heckler yells 'leave Greenland alone!' during US national anthem at NBA game in LondonBox Office: ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ opens behind ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’Trump's voice in a new Fannie Mae ad is generated by artificial intelligence, with his permissionMonkeys are on the loose in St. Louis and AI is complicating efforts to capture themRaccoon goes on drunken rampage in Virginia liquor store and passes out on bathroom floorDoes lip balm help chapped lips? Here's what to knowLetter writing enjoys a revival as fans seek connection and a break from screen timeFood companies are targeting users of weight-loss drugs with 'GLP-1 Friendly' labelsIn a warming world, freshwater production is moving deep beneath the seaSome people tape their mouths shut at night. Doctors wish they wouldn'tAfter menopause, resistance training is essential. How to get keep bones and muscles strongLetter writing enjoys a revival as fans seek connection and a break from screen timeBuddhist monks and their dog captivate Americans while walking for peacePopulista de ultraderecha gana su lugar en segunda vuelta de elección presidencial de PortugalAlexandra Eala of the Philippines waves to her supporters following her first round loss to Alycia Parks of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. )Alycia Parks of the U.S. plays a forehand return to Alexandra Eala of the Philippines during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts during her first round match against Alycia Parks of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Alexandra Eala of the Philippines plays a backhand return to Alycia Parks of the U.S. during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Supporters of Alexandra Eala of the Philippines react during her first round match against Alycia Parks of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Alexandra Eala of the Philippines waves to her supporters following her first round loss to Alycia Parks of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. )Alexandra Eala of the Philippines waves to her supporters following her first round loss to Alycia Parks of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. )Alycia Parks of the U.S. plays a forehand return to Alexandra Eala of the Philippines during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Alycia Parks of the U.S. plays a forehand return to Alexandra Eala of the Philippines during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts during her first round match against Alycia Parks of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts during her first round match against Alycia Parks of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Alexandra Eala of the Philippines plays a backhand return to Alycia Parks of the U.S. during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Alexandra Eala of the Philippines plays a backhand return to Alycia Parks of the U.S. during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Supporters of Alexandra Eala of the Philippines react during her first round match against Alycia Parks of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Supporters of Alexandra Eala of the Philippines react during her first round match against Alycia Parks of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. MELBOURNE, Australia — The long queue of fans outside Court 6, the chants of Alex, Alex, Alex and the fluttering Philippines flags all pointed to where Alexandra Eala was making her Australian Open main draw debut. The 20-year-old Eala made the most of the football-style atmosphere in the first set Monday before Alycia Parks found a way to block all that out and rally for a 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 win. Eala has developed a big following in the last year after a breakthrough tournament in Miami where she beat four seeded players —in a long third-set tiebreaker in the first round at the U.S. Open last year for her first win in a major. Sports fans in the Philippines have embraced her journey. Organizers could easily have filled one of the big show courts at Melbourne Park for Eala’s opener against Parks. Filipino fans were still lined up outside in the third set. For those who got seats, Eala stayed long after Parks had left court and signed autographs. “Yeah, it was so heart-warming,” she said. “That’s one of the things that makes a loss like today a little bit harder. The fact that everyone came out and really squeezed into that cozy court, I really appreciate it. I felt so loved. “But then again Alycia played really well. And you know I just hope that the support continues with the losses along with the wins. I think that would really touch me.” The vociferous crowd was a distraction for Parks in the first set, but the 25-year-old American harnessed the emotions in the second. “It was very difficult,” Parks said. “I was expecting it, but I wasn’t. She definitely has a good crowd. I just kept telling myself to stay in the zone.” Parks got an early break in the second set before Eala rallied to get back on serve. Parks won the last three games to take it to a deciding third set, and then dominated. “I was just so focused on the crowd in the first set, which is why it went the way it went,” she said. “I don’t know what my record is with crowds against me … It definitely puts a fire on me.”“I’m still young, 20, so learning how to deal with all of this attention,” she said. “I guess this is one of the moments that I can reflect on what this means for Philippine tennis. I’m the only Filipina in the draw this year. I’m the only Filipina that’s ever been in the draw, I think. So there are positives to take away.
Alycia Parks Tennis Australian Open Tennis Championships Australian Open Clara Tauson Melbourne Sports Philippines
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Djokovic's new approach for the Australian Open: '24 is not a bad number'Despite injuries, Djokovic reached the semifinals at all four majors last year and is starting a third season in pursuit of his 25th Grand Slam title.
Read more »
Roger Federer celebrates career with exhibition matches at Australian Open kick-offFederer played exhibition doubles matches with past champions Andre Agassi and Ash Barty.
Read more »
Roger Federer steals the show at Australian Open's first formal opening ceremonyThe Australian Open's first formal opening ceremony turned into a Roger Federer celebration
Read more »
Djokovic's new approach heading into the Australian Open: '24 is not a bad number'Novak Djokovic is gearing up for another shot at a 25th Grand Slam title
Read more »
Coco Gauff Debuts New Balance Kit for Australian OpenCoco Gauff debuted her New Balance kit for the 2026 Australian Open, and fans can buy it online now.
Read more »
Alex de Minaur Makes His Wilson Debut at the 2026 Australian OpenOfficial images, quotes, and details on Alex de Minaur's new sponsorship deal with Wilson.
Read more »