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Alex Eala continues to impress, stuns Swedish rival in second pro tilt

Sports

Alex Eala continues to impress, stuns Swedish rival in second pro tilt

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

Photo from Rafa Nadal Academy

Rising junior player Alex Eala continued to make heads turn in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour after stunning her seeded rival in the second leg of the W15 Manacor event in Spain late Wednesday.

Three days after capturing her first pro title, the 15-year-old PH bet shocked second seed Mirjam Bjorklund, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, in the opening round of the $15,000 tournament.

Eala needed more than two hours in beating her Swedish rival, who currently holds an ITF singles ranking of No. 250.

Entered as a junior reserve, Eala pulled away from 2-all in the deciding frame by winning the next two games, before dropping her serve in the seventh.

But the PH’s top junior player quickly regained her composure to break back Bjorklund in the eighth game and then went on to sealing the victory.

The victory extended Eala’s winning run to six matches since ruling the first leg over the weekend.

It also arranged her a second-round meeting with Spaniard Alba Carrillo Marin, who also needed an extra set in edging German qualifier Lena Papadakis, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

Eala and Carrillo Marin last dueled in November at a similar $15,000 event in Castellon, Spain where the Filipina triumphed in their opening round match in straight sets.

Related Tags

Rafa Nadal Academy Alex Eala international tennis federation

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