Colombia’s Camila Osorio advanced to the quarterfinals after surviving a three-set battle against Japan’s Mai Hontama, 6–4, 4–6, 6–2, in a neck-to-neck match marked by momentum swings and rising intensity at the Philippine Women’s Open (PWO), on Wednesday, January 28.

Osorio and Hontama were largely inseparable through the opening two sets, trading breaks and dictating play in long, physical rallies.

The Colombian tennis player appeared poised to close out the match in straight sets, but Hontama held firm, claiming the final two games of the second set to force a decider.

Though visibly frustrated after letting the second set slip away, Osorio quickly regrouped. She brought renewed focus and aggression into the third set, asserting control with depth and consistency to pull away from Hontama and seal the victory.

With the win, Osorio moves into the quarterfinals, where she could face home bet Alex Eala, pending the Filipina’s result later in the day.

“I would love to play her, to be honest,” Osorio said when asked about a possible matchup with Eala.

“I think she’s a really great competitor. She’s been doing unreal on the tour right now. She has a very strong personality on court—very passionate—and she competes to the last point, which I really like about her game and her mindset.”

Osorio also acknowledged the challenge that would come with facing Eala on her home turf, noting the strong crowd support the Filipina would enjoy.

“Obviously, she’s going to be having all the support from the fans, which is really nice to see,” she said. “But she still has to play, so we’ll see.”

The Colombian also confirmed that while she has practiced with Eala before, the two have never faced each other in an official match.

Physically and mentally, Osorio said she is feeling sharper as the tournament progresses, crediting improved comfort with the court and conditions.

“I’m feeling great,” she said with a smile. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in the end—every match is different—but it’s going to be a good battle for sure.”

Whether against Eala or another opponent, Osorio expects an intense quarterfinal encounter. “It’s going to be fun for both of us,” she added.

“We’re very passionate and very pumped up all the time, so I think it’s going to be a good challenge for both of us.”

Pinay tennis sensation Alex Eala will be facing Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume in the Round of 16 of the Philippine Women’s Open on the same day.

The two last went racket-to-racket in 2023, where Eala lost to Sakatsume, 6-0, 6-3.