After the US Open, Alex Eala started out strong in the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico against Dutch hitter Arianne Hartono.
Alex Eala made a triumphant return to action on Wednesday (PH time), dominating Dutch player Arianne Hartono, 6-2, 6-2, in the Round of 32 of the Guadalajara 125 Open in Zapopan, Mexico.
Eala, 20, who made history as the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam main draw match at the US Open last week, needed just a little over an hour to dispose of Hartono.
The win gave Eala a 4-0 head-to-head record against the Dutch player.
Eala is the second seed in the tournament and is now the highest-seeded player left after defending champion Kamilla Rakhimova was booted out of the first round by Victoria Jimenez Kasinteva, a familiar foe for the Filipina hitter.
For Eala’s next assignment, it will be Uzbek-American veteran hitter Varvara Lepchenko who made it to the main draw through qualifiers.
Lepchenko won over Maddison Inglis in the opening round, 6-4, 6-1.
Lepchenko is almost 20 years Eala’s senior at 39-years-old and previously ranked world no. 19 in the WTA rankings back in 2012. Currently, she is ranked world no. 122.
Eala faces the veteran Lepchenko on Thursday (PH time).
Eala is seeking her first title in the WTA Tour after previously reaching the Finals at the Eastbourne Open.