Alex Eala enters the North American hard court swing with momentum and growing confidence after her breakthrough grass-court campaign with the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) believing the surface could bring out the best in her game.

Philta president Tonette Mendoza told DAILY TRIBUNE that Eala’s schedule — the Washington Open followed by the WTA 1000 tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati — provides the ideal buildup for the US Open, the year’s final Grand Slam.

The 21-year-old Filipina opens her campaign at the Washington Open on 25 July at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center.

“Her favorite surface, before grass, is really hard court. She’s very comfortable on that surface, so she has really good prospects there,” Mendoza said in a phone conversation.

“I don’t want to predict, but that’s a surface where she’s very comfortable. The competition will be different, but I think she will do well.”

Eala is already in the US Open entry list, with her seeding expected to depend on her results during the North American swing.

Mendoza said the stacked fields in Canada and Cincinnati will provide a stern test before Eala heads to New York.

“The Canadian Open has a very big draw and Cincinnati is already an extended tournament, so it’s a heavy schedule. After that, she’ll move to New York,” Mendoza said.

“Even when she was training in Spain, she was always more comfortable on hard courts than clay. Her confidence is also increasing because of her performances.”

Eala’s confidence has been fueled by a breakout season that included a historic Wimbledon Round of 16 appearance, the first by any Filipino in any singles campaign.

Despite Eala’s recent success, Mendoza stopped short of making bold predictions for the US Open.

“I’m a little superstitious, so I don’t want to say too much. But I think she can reach the second week,” Mendoza said.

“It’s different because the players are different and the pressure is different. It’s a Grand Slam.”