Alex Eala ‘nothing but happy’ to earn.....

 

Even before Alex Eala bowed out early in the Wuhan Open — a WTA 1000 event just a notch below the Grand Slams — the Filipina teen already feels grateful to score a spot in the main draw

MANILA, Philippines – By this time in the women’s pro circuit, Alex Eala’s opponents already have the blueprint on how to defeat the Filipina teen tennis standout — pounce on her still developing service game.

World doubles No. 1 and world singles No. 37 Katerina Siniakova did just that in the opening round of the WTA Wuhan Open as she thoroughly outclassed Eala in a straight set dismantling, 6-3, 6-1, on Tuesday, October 8, at the Optics Valley International Tennis Centre in the Hubei Province of China.

But it seemed to have hardly dented the resolve of the Filipino teen, who said even before the match that she’s “nothing but happy to be here.”

Eala was one of only four players given wild card slots to the main draw of the tournament, a WTA 1000 event just slightly lower in terms of points and prestige than the Grand Slams and the WTA Finals. 

Had the 19-year-old Filipina advanced, she would have faced three-time Grand Slam champion and singles world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka.

Eala actually got off to a strong start, breaking Siniakova in the very first game of the opening set. 

The Filipina followed this up by holding serve to establish a 2-0 lead. But that turned out to be the last time she would hold on to her serve the entire match.