Alex Eala is off to a winning start at the WTA 500 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open after dispatching Turkey’s Zeynep Sönmez in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.
Winning in True Alex Eala Fashion
Just like in her recent stint at the inaugural WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open, the Quezon City native again put on a show for a mostly pro-Alex Eala crowd. The newly minted world No. 45 established early control behind a steady serve and earned the first break for a 3-1 lead in the opening set. Sönmez, who is coming off an impressive Australian Open run, clawed back to level the first set at 3-all, but Eala responded with cleaner ball-striking and sharper returns, taking three of the final four games to pocket the set.
The momentum carried into the second frame as the 20-year-old Pinay tennis ace surged to a 3-0 advantage, dictating rallies and keeping her opponent on the defensive. Sönmez refused to fade quietly and narrowed the gap to 5-3, forcing Eala to earn her way out.
The Rafa Nadal Academy alumnus answered with a composed service game, converting a crucial break earlier and needing two match points to seal the straight-sets win in just over an hour and a half.
The victory marked Eala’s first triumph in a WTA 500 main draw this season and underscored her growing consistency at the higher levels of the tour.
Is Alex Eala 100%?
Aside from displaying fine form, fans should be encouraged that Alex Eala was no longer sporting a heavy bandage on her right thigh. This could indicate that the leg injury that seemingly bothered the Filipina ace has healed enough that she no longer needs support.
Up next for Eala is Belarusian veteran Aliaksandra Sasnovich, who advanced after stunning the tournament’s eighth seed, Paola Badosa, in three sets. Eala is also set to compete in doubles alongside Indonesia’s Janice Tjen as she continues her busy Abu Dhabi campaign.
ALEX EALA NEXT MATCH:
- Alex Eala | Janice Tjen vs. Leylah Fernandez | Kristina Mladenovic (Doubles, Round of 32)
- Venue: Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre
- Time: 10:30 p.m.
