Filipina tennis star Alex Eala overcame a challenging first set against Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume, securing a determined 6-4, 6-0 victory in the second round of the Philippine Women’s Open on Wednesday evening at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Similar to her first-round match against Alina Charaeva, this encounter served as a chance for Eala to seek revenge after previously losing 6-0, 6-3 to her Japanese opponent at the 2023 WTA 250 Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships.
The initial set on Wednesday was closely contested, with both Sakatsume and Eala exchanging holds through the first four games before trading breaks in the fifth and sixth games.
At 3-3, neither player could gain the upper hand, as both relied on strong serving and aggressive play to navigate pressure situations. This trend continued in the seventh and eighth games, with solid holds from both players keeping the score tied at 4-4.
However, Eala managed to create a breakthrough in the ninth game, achieving a vital second break thanks to the power and precision of her forehand and backhand. Building on that momentum, she tightened her service game to secure the first set.
As in her previous match, Eala opted for a medical timeout before the second set, but it did not hinder her performance.
She carried the momentum from winning the last three games of the first set into the second, quickly establishing dominance by earning two breaks in the first three games, aided by effective returning and early control of the ball.
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Eala maintained complete control in the latter part of the set, adding another break before settling into consistent service holds. With relentless pressure, she concluded the second set decisively, achieving a bagel to finish the match.
Although Sakatsume had the advantage in service aces at 3-1, it was Eala who dictated the play from her serve.
The Filipina’s effectiveness was notable, converting 67% of her first-serve points and 65% on her second serve, highlighting her overall dominance in the match.
Following the elimination of top seed Tatjana Maria in the second round, Eala is now the highest-ranked player remaining in the tournament. She is scheduled to compete against 84th-ranked Camila Osorio of Colombia in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Source: espn.com
