SÃO PAULO, Brazil – In a quarterfinal match that was as clinical as it was surprising, Indonesia’s Janice Tjen delivered a masterclass performance to dismantle the third-seeded Alex Eala of the Philippines, 6-4, 6-1, at the São Paulo Open 2025. The match, played on the outdoor clay courts of the Clube Hípico de Santo Amaro, saw the unseeded Tjen control the tempo from the baseline and expose a rare off-day for the highly-touted Eala.
From the first ball, it was clear that Tjen had arrived with a clear and aggressive game plan. Her powerful, flat groundstrokes, particularly her searing cross-court backhand, pushed Eala deep behind the baseline and negated the Filipino’s ability to dictate points.
A Detailed Look at the Match
First Set: Tjen Weathers the Early Storm
Eala, a crowd favorite known for her fighting spirit, started brightly, holding her opening service game with authority. However, Tjen’s response was immediate. The Indonesian’s deep returns and relentless pressure forced Eala into a series of uncharacteristic errors. The critical break came in the fifth game. At 2-2, Tjen elevated her game, unleashing a stunning down-the-line winner to bring up break point, which she converted when Eala sent a forehand long.
Serving with a 4-3 lead, Tjen faced her only moment of real adversity. She found herself down 0-40, offering Eala a trio of break-back opportunities. Displaying immense courage, Tjen saved all three break points with a combination of a huge first serve and two aggressive forehand winners. That hold proved to be the turning point of the set. She consolidated her break and served out the set 6-4, sealing it with an unreturnable serve that painted the T-line.
Second Set: Total Domination
Any hopes of an Eala comeback were swiftly extinguished in the second set. The frustration began to show for the #3 seed as her first serve percentage plummeted and her error count soared. Tjen, smelling blood, went for the jugular.
She broke Eala’s serve in the second game with a series of punishing returns, establishing a 2-0 lead. The variety in Tjen’s game shone through; she mixed her powerful drives with intelligent drop shots and heavy top-spin loops, never allowing Eala to find a consistent rhythm.
A second break in the fourth game, punctuated by another clean backhand winner, extended Tjen’s lead to 5-1. With the match on her racquet, the Indonesian showed no signs of nerves. She served out the match at love, clinching a monumental victory on her first match point as a final Eala forehand sailed long.
By the Numbers: A Story of Control
The statistics tell a story of Tjen’s near-flawless execution:
- Winners/Unforced Errors: Tjen hit a impressive 22 winners to just 10 unforced errors. Eala, by contrast, was stifled into a negative ratio of 9 winners to 18 unforced errors.
- Break Points Saved: Tjen saved all 3 break points she faced, all coming at a crucial moment in the first set.
- Return Points Won: Tjen won a dominant 52% of points on Eala’s second serve, constantly putting the seed under pressure.
What This Means
For Janice Tjen, this victory marks the biggest win of her young career and propels her into a WTA 125-level semifinal. It announces her as a dangerous threat on the circuit, especially on clay, and will provide a significant boost to her ranking.
For Alex Eala, the tournament ends in disappointment. However, as a player focused on long-term development, these matches serve as learning experiences on the challenging road to the top tier of the sport.
In her post-match interview, a beaming Tjen said, "I knew I had to be aggressive and not let her play her game. I stayed focused on every point and I’m so happy with how I handled the pressure. This is a great moment for me and my team."