Eala: Grass growing on me

Alex Eala appears to be getting accustomed to with grass following her victory over Jelena Ostapenko via walkover in the Round of 16 of the Eastbourne Open on Wednesday in Great Britain.

The 20-year-old Rafael Nadal Academy said her performance is proof that the surface is “growing on me.”

Eala hopes to bring her winning ways when she makes her debut at Wimbledon on 30 June.

“Physically, I’m doing quite well. The grass season is not very long, and I haven’t had many (matches) in general, so I’m happy that I’m able to do well,” Eala said.

“I think it (grass) suits my game.”

Eala is going up against Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine at press time.

A win over the Ukrainian netter will not only give her a spot in the semifinal but could boost her Women’s Tennis Association rankings as well.

Eala, currently rated world No. 74, wishes Ostapenko a speedy recovery after suffering an ankle injury in the middle of their match.

Both netters last met last March in the Miami Open where Eala won over Ostapenko, 7-6, 7-5, in the Round of 64.

“It’s never a good feeling to finish a match like that. I hope everything’s okay with her because it was really a tough battle today, and I think both of us were on the brink,” Eala said.

“I’m proud of how I was able to find solutions. She retired but I had good chances in the third. I broke her and I was on a roll.

“Although you can never know what could have happened if she continued, but overall I’m happy.”