Alex Eala won her first Philippine Women’s Open match on Monday as she swept Alina Charaeva of Russia, 6-1, 6-2, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The 20-year-old Eala dispatched her Russian for one hour and 16 minutes as continues her hunt for her second Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) title in her career.
Virtually invincible in the opening set, Eala took a medical timeout after trailing 1-2 in the second, much to the anxiety of her Filipino fans who packed every nook and cranny of the 2,000-seat bleachers' section at Center Court.
To their collective relief, and although sporting a bandage on her left thigh, the comely left-hander looked ok as she continued her fine form in this prestigious tournament backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association.
Eala will face the winner between Japanese netters Nao Hibino and Himeno Tsakatsume in the Last 16 on Wednesday at the same venue.
Tennielle Madis lost on her WTA debut after a 4-6, 0-6 loss to Southeast Asian Games silver medalist Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the Round of 32.
Kaye Ann Emana will open her women’s singles campaign as she faces Russian netter
Tatiana Prozorova on Tuesday.