Filipina tennister hurdles Austrian opponent in two sets in Round of 32 match in Australia.
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine tennis player Alex Eala advances to the Round of 16 of the WTA 125 Canberra International after sweeping her way against her Round of 32 foe in her last match of the year on Tuesday.
Eala, who is back in action for the new season shortly after her holiday break, nipped Sinja Kraus, 6-2, 6-4, to win her first three matches of the new season, having qualified to the main draw through qualifiers.
The 19-year-old bucked a good service game from Kraus who fired six aces against Eala’s one.
Despite this, Eala won four out of six break points against the Austrian.
Going on social media shortly after the win, Eala approached the new year with a lot of optimism.
“Ending 2024 on a high! Into the round of 16 here in Canberra with a good win today. 2025 here I come!” wrote Eala.
Eala is ending 2024 in her highest year-end ranking at No. 147 in singles. She achieved her career-high ranking of No. 143 earlier this year.
Her previous year-end ranking at the end of 2023 was at No. 205.
In 2024, Eala highlighted her campaign with one ITF singles title, and two ITF doubles titles. She also appeared in the qualifying tournaments of all the Grand Slams.