Eala gustong manalo si Gauff sa US Open

MANILA, Philippines — Kung si Alex Eala ang tatanungin, nais nitong magkampeon si American netter Coco Gauff sa edis­yong ito ng US Open na ginaganap sa New York.

Aminado si Eala na matindi ang bakbakan sa mga huling rounds ng US Open lalo pa’t mga bigating players na lamang ang natitira kasama si Gauff.

Ngunit bilib si Eala sa abilidad ni Gauff na kayang magkampeon sa taong ito.

“Well, very highly stacked draw at this point, but it always is in the quarters. I have to say, though, I am rooting for Coco,” ani Eala.

Napanood mismo ni Eala ang fourth-round match nina Gauff at Iva Jovic ng Amerika.

Nagwagi si Gauff sa iskor na 6-1, 6-4 para makapasok sa quarterfinals.

“Last night was really good. I did watch her and Iva (Jovic) both played ama­zing. But yeah, I think Coco’s been on such a good run recently,” ani Gauff.

Makakaharap ni Gauff sa quarterfinals si reigning French Open champion Mirra Andreeva ng Russia.

Hanga si Eala sa husay at galing ni Gauff na tinawag pa nitong ‘beast’ sa tuwing nasa loob ito ng court.

“Well, I think that more than anything, what I look up to Coco for is her grit and the mentality she has. Of course, she’s a beast and she’s physically ama­zing. Great shot. So much power. But yeah, I love her mentality,” ani Eala.

Nagharap na sina Eala at Gauff sa nakalipas na laban kaya’t alam ng Pinay netter ang husay nito.

Nagtambal na rin sina Eala at Gauff sa doubles ng Italian Open.

Mataas din ng respeto ni Gauff kay Eala.

“She’s doing similar things with what Manny Pacquiao is doing for her country,” ani Gauff.