Eala rallies to edge Qinwen, faces Fernandez next in Mubadala DC Open

MANILA, Philippines, July 29 ------ Alex Eala had to dig deep but pushed through to the second round of the Mubadala DC Open after coming from behind against Zheng Qinwen, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, early Wednesday morning (Manila time).

Eala fell in the first set but recovered in the final two sets to barge into the next round in her Washington debut. The Filipina had a strong start, going up 2-0 before the Olympic champion woke up from her slumber and showed flashes of her play pre-injury. Zheng first tied things up at 2-all and trailed 2-3 before the World No. 123 tennister won the next three games, 5-3.  Eala salvaged the set but Zheng took the first set, 6-4.

The World No. 28 pride of the Philippines traded games in the second set and even trailed, 3-4. But Eala fought by the skin of her teeth and won the next three games, 6-4, punctuating the second set by breaking her opponent’s serve to force the third and deciding set.

With momentum fully on her side, Eala won the first four games of the third frame as she took advantage of Zheng’s sloppy performance. And while the Chinese tennister kept herself alive, 1-4, the deficit was too good to overcome.

“I think the community here in D.C. is amazing. I think there was a great atmosphere for both players and I'm really happy with my win today,” Eala said after the match. “[My coach] said that I have to keep going because if I'm there every ball, I'll have my chances. And I did.”

The Filipina punched in four aces in the match, all in the first set. And while Zheng had 14 aces and 35 winners against her 22, the Chinese had 46 unforced errors to the Filipina’s 25.

Eala will now take on Leylah Fernandez in the second round. Fernandez is the defending champion of the women’s singles action, and she defeated Eala in the Stuttgart Open back in April. “I think it's going to be a very tough match for me. Leylah is such an amazing player and an amazing person as well. So I think right now my first priority is to recover, take care of my body so that I can arrive in the best shape possible for me.”

Source: philstar.com

Editor's note: 

Alex Eala focuses on singles, pulls out of DC Open doubles with Venus Williams at the Mubadala DC Open. Eala said that while it was an honor to play alongside the tennis legend, the Filipino rising star felt it was best for her to pull out of doubles competition as she won’t be able to be at her 100 percent in the event. “I have tremendous respect for Venus. I am grateful for every opportunity I have to be by her side, to learn from her, to play with her. But this is my first week since Wimbledon, and I think she deserves a partner who can give it her all physically, mentally, and emotionally when she is on the court with her.”