Eala soaks in Toronto love

MANILA, Philippines — There’s a giant Filipino party in Toronto now.

Local news say Pinoy groups are driving in from outside the city and holding potlucks in the parks. The main idea is to throw support behind Alex Eala.

Not wanting to disappoint them, Eala is bent on extending her hot streak from Washington, going for a Round-of-16 berth in the WTA1000 National Bank Open in a battle of giant-slayers against American Caty McNally at Sobeys Stadium.

They slug it out at 8:10 a.m. today, Manila time – primetime in Toronto as the final match of the four-game Center Court bill.

Eala will bring lessons from a legend – another doubles partnership with Venus Williams yesterday although it ended in a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Ludmilla Samsonova and Miyu Kato,

“We fell short but I always learn a lot when I’m on court with Venus,” said Eala.

Now it’s all singles, with Eala’s eyes on a seventh straight win.

First, it’s Round-of-32 business against fellow giant-slayer McNally – WTA No. 70 in singles, No. 38 in doubles, 24, a two-time Grand Slam doubles finalist.

McNally opened with a 4-6, 7-6, 6-1 win over WTA No. 80 Tatjana Maria of Germany, the oldest WTA champion in history, then erased a 1-5 deficit to shock world No. 7 and reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 – blowing up the projected Eala-Noskova third-round clash.

“It’s incredible, what Eala has been doing for tennis is unreal. She’s been playing some really good tennis so I’m just excited for the great crowd and atmosphere,” said McNally. “My game brings a lot of variety so I hope I can bring that against Eala. I want to play my game on my own terms.”

With a potluck party roaring for Eala in the parks of Toronto, she looks to do it again today.