Alex Eala eases past Aussie foe for W25 Roehampton title, fourth ITF crown
2023-Aug-14 12:51
2024-Aug-06 14:11
Alex Eala ruled her fourth ITF tilt after lifting the W25 Roehampton trophy. PHOTO: Alex Eala/Facebook
Filipino tennis wunderkind Alex Eala made quick work of Australia's Arina Rodionova, 6-2, 6-3, to claim the W25 Roehampton crown at the National Tennis Centre in Great Britain Sunday, August 13.
Sixth-seeded Eala started and finished each set strong to clinch her second title in 2023 and fourth International Tennis Federation (ITF) Women's Tennis Tour tilt at the expense of tournament second seed Rodionova.
The 18-year-old Rafa Nadal Academy product conquered the 2021 W15 Manacor for her first-ever ITF chip before winning the 2022 W25 Chiang Rai in Thailand and the 2023 W25 Yecla in Mallorca, Spain.
Eala dedicated the victory to her parents, who will celebrate their anniversary.
"🏆ITF Pro Title #4!! Just in time for my parent's 25th Anniversary tomorrow! Love you mom and dad," the World Tennis Association (WTA) ranked 250th posted on her Facebook account.
Eala cruised to an early 3-0 lead in the opening set before Rodionova, 33 years old, pulled one game back.
The Filipino teen reached set point after capturing the next two games, only for her 166-ranked Australian foe to secure another game.
Unfortunately, the 2022 US Open Juniors Singles champion regained her form to put the finishing touches in the eighth match for a 1-0 lead.
Establishing a 3-0 lead anew in Set 2, Eala lost the fourth game to the 13-time ITF titlist Rodionova.
Eala emerged triumphant after the error committed by the embattled Rodionova, effectively ending her second-set fightback and bid to extend their championship clash.
The now four-time ITF winner beat three Australians on her way to the finale.
She stunned Gabriella Da Silva Fick in the Round of 32, 6-3, 6-4, before dispatching Destanee Aiava in the Round of 16, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, and overcoming top-seeded Priscilla Hon in the quarterfinals, 6-2, 6-4.
Eala reached the finals by eliminating third seed and world number 208 Arianne Hartono of the Netherlands in the semifinals via a hard-fought 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-1 squeaker.
The Filipina tennis star also competed in the doubles event, alongside Aiava, but lost to number-one seeds and eventual runners-up Talia Gibson and Petra in the quarterfinal round, 1-6, 5-7.
British event W25 Aldershot is Eala's next target next week.