Eala leads rain-hit match
The Philippines’ Alex Eala got off to a strong start and was leading the Netherlands’ Anouk Koevermans, 6-3, 2-4, a little over an hour into their match when a downpour forced suspension of play in the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal yesterday.
With booming serves and crisp well-placed shots in rallies, Eala dominated the first set but was on the verge of losing the next when rain interrupted play.
The 19-year-old Pinay is the top seed in this WTA 125 event coming from her magical run in Miami a few weeks ago that sent her soaring to No. 72 in world ranking.
In the Oeiras Open main draw first round, Eala’s up against the towering Koevermans, 21 years old and No. 182 in the world.
Eala took command early, bringing back to mind her swashbuckling show in Miami where she brought down then world No. 73 Katie Volynets in the first round, No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko in the second, No. 5 Madison Keys in the Round of 16 and No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals.
After pulling the rug from Grand Slam winners Ostapenko, Keys and Swiatek, Eala, however, bowed out of the tourney in a three-set defeat at the hands of world No. 4 Jessica Pegula.
Eala is also competing in doubles in Oeiras, teaming up with Volynets as they face the duo of Christina Rosca and Carmen Corley today.
- Latest
- Trending
