How Alex did it

It wasn’t an easy road to the Mubadala DC Open women’s singles championship as Alex Eala went through five more experienced and highly-decorated opponents to make tennis history as the first Filipina to win a WTA 500 title.

First to fall was power server Qinwen Zheng, 23, who uncorked 14 aces to Eala’s four. The 5-10 Paris Olympic gold medalist bagged the first set, 6-4, then Eala stormed back to win the next two, 6-4, 6-1. Next was defending champion Leylah Fernandez 23, who crushed Eala, 6-1, 6-4, in Stuttgart last April. Fernandez cracked four aces to none but notched 42 unforced errors to 19 for Eala. Then it was Elena Svitolina, 31, who was the second seed, Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist and World No. 10. The 5-9 Ukrainian showed up with 22 career titles and $30.2 million in career earnings, 12th on the all-time list. Eala bundled her out, 6-3, 6-4 as Svitolina committed 34 unforced errors to 24. In the semis, Eala took on Naomi Osaka, 28, a four-time Grand Slam winner. Eala downed the third seed and former World No. 1 Haitian-Japanese, 6-4, 6-2. In the final, Korean-American and top seed Jessica Pegula fell with Eala roaring back from a first set loss to claim the crown, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0. Eala swept the last eight games, breaking Pegula in four and held serve the entire second and third sets.

Here are 10 factors that were keys to Eala’s success.

• Return of serve. Eala never flinched whether returning the first or second serve. In five matches, Eala picked up 27 break points to her opponents’ 12.

• Tricky serve. Eala’s lefty soft serve gave her opponents fits. In every match, Eala recorded a higher winning percentage on her first serve. Against Pegula, it was 86 percent. On average, Eala’s winning mark was 71.6 percent.

• Anticipation from preparation. Eala laid out a gameplan for each opponent and her homework paid off as she anticipated where shots would fall, putting her in a position to strike back aggressively. Eala’s length, mobility and vision gave her a wide expanse of court coverage. She went side to side, varied her shots, defended the baseline and attacked the net while keeping her balance.

• Crowd support. The fans who jammed the venue to cheer her were a boost. It’s like basketball’s sixth man.

• Automatic instincts. When opponents adjusted to situations, Eala reacted instinctively, an ability that was honed through years of training at the Nadal Academy. It was evident in the Qinwen and Pegula matches where Eala rebounded from first set hiccups.

• Footwork. It’s something that Eala has worked on in the gym. Her legs were strong and feet, quick-stepping. Conditioning propelled her ability to move any which way with speed and agility. It takes a high level of work ethic, sacrifice and uncompromising discipline to attain that position.

• Mental toughness under pressure. Eala was unfazed. No matter the odds, no matter the deficit, she never quit and fought fiercely to the last point. It’s an attitude that flusters and frustrates opponents who aren’t able to match her grit.

• Less aces but no problem. Eala absorbed 31 aces in five matches but on average, they were less than 15 percent of her opponents’ total serves. Eala, who had only five aces, took care of the rest.

• Composure and poise. Opponents were unnerved when Eala played with confidence, precision, intelligence and patience. She extended rallies until her adversaries lapsed into errors. Eala kept foes on the run with sharp angles and deep corner shots, putting them in uncomfortable, off-balance situations. As a result, opponents averaged 32.4 unforced errors to Eala’s 18.4 and had 21 double faults to Eala’s 13, indicating the difference in focus.

• Play to win. Eala couldn’t care less whom she faced. She was determined to win, played her game and battled until the last point. That’s the kind of mindset that characterizes a great champion.