By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The only Filipina that qualified in a grand slam opened her Australian Open bid with an impressive victory.
Alex Eala, the Filipina teen sensation under the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy, took down Israeli Shavit Kimchi, 6-0, 4-6, 6-2.
Going into the grand slam tournament as the number four seed, Eala put on the early work to fend-off the Israeli with her aim to reach the tournament final and make history as the only Filipina to win a grand slam tournament.
Eala’s dominance was evident in the first set as she broke Kimchi’s service and never dropped a set.
The consistent groundstrokes and the power play of the young Filipina proved to be the difference-maker in the match as she overwhelmed the Israeli the whole 60 minutes.
With the win, the 14-year-old Eala will face the 17-year-old Julie Belgraver from France.
