Eala breezes past world number 411 in Tokyo opener

TOKYO: Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra Eala made history on Monday by becoming the first player from her country to win a title on the women’s WTA Tour. The 21-year-old, who began her career with the 19th-ranked Mika Stojsavljevic, 411 in the world, dominated the match 6-1, 6-2, showcasing her skill and determination. Eala, who had been struggling with form recently, arrived in Tokyo after a string of losses, including a first-round defeat to a low-ranked opponent in Wuhan.

Speaking to the media, Eala emphasized that a player’s performance should not be judged solely by their ranking, stating, “The ball doesn’t know what rank you are.” She attributed her success to her readiness and sustained intensity throughout the match. Adoring fans from the Philippines cheered Eala on as she breezed through the first set with a commanding 5-0 lead and held onto her lead in the second set despite Stojsavljevic’s attempts to close the gap.

Speaking about the pace of the indoor court in Tokyo, Eala remarked, “It’s a little faster than the court I played on last week. It’s indoor, comfortable weather, not very hot. I think I’m finding my groove.” Meanwhile, other top seeds Elise Mertens of Belgium and Maja Chwalinska of Poland also advanced in the tournament, while defending champion Belinda Bencic of Switzerland withdrew due to injury.