Alex Eala off to blazing start despite rain delays in WTA Portugal bid
MANILA, Philippines – The new phase of Alex Eala’s career has begun, and not even three rain delays could derail her from getting off to a solid start.
Seeded No. 1 for the first time in her career in a WTA event, Eala lived up to her billing with a workman-like 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Anouk Koevermans of the Netherlands in the opening round of the 2025 Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal on Tuesday, April 15.
Eala, now ranked a career-best 73rd in the world, aims for a solid follow-up to her historic run in the WTA 1000 Miami Open, where she reached the semifinals and eliminated three Grand Slam champions, among them world No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland and No. 5 Madison Keys of the United States.
Although Eala showed a bit of rust in the early goings following a two-week layoff — and several game delays due to inclement weather — she had enough in her arsenal to prevail over the Dutch clay-court specialist.
Eala managed to overcome a rather shaky start against her 182nd-ranked foe in the opening set, where she dropped her serves in the third and fifth game to fall behind early.
In both instances, the 19-year-old Filipina recovered by breaking right back to keep the count even at 3-3. But that was the farthest she would allow her foe as Eala swept the next three games to clinch the first set, 6-3.
The second set proved to be another uphill climb for Eala, who found herself in a 1-3 hole after dropping serve anew in the fourth game.
Eala trailed 2-4 before play was suspended for the third time on Monday, April 14, due to heavy rains. When play resumed on Tuesday, Eala immediately took control of the set.
The 5-foot-9 Filipina broke Koevermans’ serve in the seventh game, drew level at 4-4, then broke the Dutch anew in the ninth game to all but snuff the fight out of her 21-year-old foe.
It was all over after an hour and 26 minutes with Eala closing out the match in the 10th game.
Eala will now advance to the second round where she will await the winner of the match between former world No. 76 Hungarian veteran Panna Udvardy and a qualifier.
In doubles action, Eala will team up with American Katie Volynets, whom she defeated in the first round of the Miami Open.
Eala and Volynets, unseeded in doubles, will be up against fourth seeds Carmen Corley and Christina Rosca of the United States on Wednesday, April 16. – Rappler.com