Alex Eala overcame a second set stumble to turn back Argentine qualifier Lucia Peyre, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, and barge into the finals of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) W25 Yecla tournament in Spain Saturday, June 3.
After waxing hot in the opening frame, the second-seeded Eala encountered stiff competition against her fierce 17-year-old rival before banking on her sharp shots to capture the deciding set and ultimately, the match win. The victory arranged the 18-year-old Eala championship date with unseeded Valentina Ryser of Switzerland, who also needed an extra set in stunning fourth pick Eva Guerrero Alvarez of Spain, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (4), 6-4. Though Eala has a higher ITF ranking of No. 266 compared to the Swiss’ No. 560, Ryser appears more dangerous as she boasts of shocking top seed Sakura Hosogi of Japan in the quarterfinals, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-1. The 22-year-old Ryser also has three pro titles tucked under her belt, including the W15 Manacor in Spain just last February. Eala, for her part, is still searching for a third pro crown since winning the W25 Chiang Rai in Thailand last year. So far, this was her best performance following a quarters in W25 Monastir last month.
*Alex Eala is one win away from her third pro title. (File Photo/Alex Eala's Facebook)
*After waxing hot in the opening frame, the second-seeded Eala encountered stiff competition against her fierce 17-year-old rival before banking on her sharp shots to capture the deciding set and ultimately, the match win. The victory arranged the 18-year-old Eala championship date with unseeded Valentina Ryser of Switzerland, who also needed an extra set in stunning fourth pick Eva Guerrero Alvarez of Spain, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (4), 6-4. Though Eala has a higher ITF ranking of No. 266 compared to the Swiss’ No. 560, Ryser appears more dangerous as she boasts of shocking top seed Sakura Hosogi of Japan in the quarterfinals, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-1. The 22-year-old Ryser also has three pro titles tucked under her belt, including the W15 Manacor in Spain just last February. Eala, for her part, is still searching for a third pro crown since winning the W25 Chiang Rai in Thailand last year. So far, this was her best performance following a quarters in W25 Monastir last month.