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Alex Eala dominates Mumbai tournament opener




February 4 ------ Aiming to rebound after failing to make the main draw of the WTA Singapore Open, Alex Eala began her campaign in Mumbai on a winning note. The 19-year-old prevailed in convincing fashion over 18-year-old Sara Saito, 6-1, 6-0, in the opening round of the WTA 125 Mumbai at the Cricket Club of India.

 

Eala and Saito faced off the previous week in Singapore, with the Filipina winning in three tightly fought sets, 6-1, 6-7 (1-7), 7-5. There was not going to be a repeat of that close encounter between two young players who were both formerly world No. 2s in juniors play.

 

Eala came out guns blazing in a dominant performance that she had not displayed thus far this season, racing to a 4-0 advantage in the opening set and allowing Saito to score only in the fifth game. By then, Eala had already firmly established control, ending it in the seventh game. The second set was more of the same with Eala blanking a shell-shocked Saito to finish the match in just 61 minutes. Eala did not drop her serve the entire match while breaking Saito six times.

 

Just a week after rising to a career-high 134th in the world, Eala dropped to 137th and will aim to climb the rankings anew with a win in the second round. She will face either of two Japanese, 25-year-old former world No. 105 Mia Hontama or world No. 134 Nao Hibino, a 30-year-old veteran who has played in the singles main draw of all the Grand Slam events. Eala will also be seeing doubles action on Tuesday, February 4, partnering with Tsao Chia Yi of Chinese Taipei. The 21-year-old Tsao, currently world No. 129 in doubles, saw action in the Australian Open doubles last January.

 

The Filipina and Taiwanese duo will be up against second-seeded Russians Amina Anshba and Elena Pridankina.

 

Source: rappler.com

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