Alex Eala remained unfazed in the succeeding sets and rallied a 5-7,6-1, 6-2 comeback win to upset home star Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers for her first maiden pro title.
Alex Eala is on her own league
While experience might be a significant tool in winning international competitions, Alex Eala proved that it could be surpassed with determination and persistence. Eala, a 15-year-old Filipina is 13 years younger than her Spanish opponent Cavalle-Reimers, who started her professional tennis career in 2011.
Age just became a statement on Sunday.
Eala upset Spanish player Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers for her first ITF Women's World Tour Title at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Manacor, Spain.
According to PhilStar, Eala won a $15,000 prize after her victory. The Filipina tennis player moved to the world rankings at 1,651st while maintaining the No.3 spot in the ITS junior ranking. On the other hand, Cavelle-Reimers sat in No. 132 in the ITF ranking and No. 490 in the world ranking.
Cavelle-Reimers contested the call in the third set when Eala chased a shot close to the net. The younger tennister trailed in the first set, following the Spanish's blazing start. It was, however, became a standstill for the older player as Yvonne failed to close the game after her hits waned in the last two sets.
Eala, who won with Indonesian ace Priska Madelyn Nugroho at the 2020 Australian Open juniors doubles, kept up with Yvonne's pace on the court in the second set. Alex never lowered her racket to slip past several attacks and continued to receive shots until the Spanish could not anymore return her favor.
According to CNN, Eala survived a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4 semis showdown over Hong Kongese Adithya Karunarante.
Eala downed Italian player Anaa Paradisi in a dominant 6-1,6-1 win in the first round. Later, she frustrated No. 1 tourney player and No. 2 Singles tennister Seone Mendez of Australia, 6-4, 6-1. Her penchant for finishing the competition with a flawless record continued as she defeated No.5, Carole Monnet of France, in the quarterfinals.
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There may be doubts about her ability as her age remains unripe compared to her competitors. But, how Alex cruised on her 5-0 record will tell a lot of stories behind her struggles. She is expected to compete for the next tournament legs this year as she eyes higher rankings.
Last year, Eala hoped to reach the finals in the 2020 French Open but fell short in the semis to No. 3 Elsa Jacquemot of France, 6-3, 6-2 to end his 2020 Roland Garros bid.
"I am so proud to be a Filipino. As I say, there aren't many Filipinos that are playing at a high level, that's why I hope that people see this win as a big triumph and a big step for tennis in the Philippines," said Eala, who just began her professional tennis career last year.
Meanwhile, Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal congratulated Eala's accomplishment in his Instagram post, in a report by Spin. The 20-time Grandslam champion and the current World No. 2 player reminded Eala to continue her hard work and good attitude on the court.
Nadal's academy in Malorca has been a big help for the Filipina phenom to hone her tennis talent for the next campaigns this 2021.
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