Eala, Latvian doubles partner top Indian netfest

Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala has nothing but love for Darja Semenistaja of Latvia as they clinched the women's doubles title in the W50 Pune at the Deccan Gymkhana in India last Saturday.

Both Eala and Semenistaja delivered a 7-6, 6-3 win over Naiktha Bains of the United Kingdom and Hungary's Fanny Stollar to clinch the title in the tournament that boasts a $40,000 prize pot.

This is Eala's first doubles title in her professional career and appreciated her partner's efforts despite getting beaten by her, 6-7, 0-6, in the quarterfinal of the women's singles.

"First doubles title! #itfW50 Thanks Darja Semenistaja," Eala said in a social media post.

Meanwhile, the Rafael Nadal Academy congratulated Eala for picking up her first title of the year.

"First @itftennis doubles for @alex.eala! MABUHAY. Congrats Darja Semenistaja for a great week! VAMOS," the academy posted on social media.

Seeded fourth in the tournament, Eala and Semenistaja had to endure early challenges before getting the title.

In the round of 16, the Filipino-Latvian pair defeated Eri Shimizu of Japan and Chinese Taipei's Yu-Yun Li, 6-7, 6-1, 10-7, before surviving Jessie Aney of the United States and Germany's Lena Papadakis, 6-4, 2-6, 10-4 in the quarterfinal.

From there, Eala and Semenistaja went on to sweep their opponents as they whipped Japan's Saki Inamura and Naho Sato, 7-6, 6-3, in the semifinal to set up a match with Bains and Stollar.

Before proceeding to India, the Rafael Nadal Academy product took an early exit in the Australian Open qualifying round early this month.

Still, the grind continues for Eala as she is set to stay in India to play in the main draw of the W50 Indore from 29 January to 4 February.

Then, she flies to the United Arab Emirates to take part in the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open set from 3 to 11 February at the International Tennis Centre in Zayed Sports City.