Diniskaril ni Alex Eala ang magandang ratsada ni Aliaksandra Sasnovich ng Belarus, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) comeback win sa bisa ng late-set offensive rampage dahilan upang makaabante sa Abu Dhabi Open quarterfinals sa International Tennis Centre sa Zayed Sports City nitong Huwebes.
Matapos mabaon sa iskor na 4-0, bumalikwas ang Filipina tennis prodigy sa ikatlong set upang maihabol ang match point, 6-5, at maitulak ang laban sa tiebreak sa harap ng Filipino crowd.
“Each round is even more of a challenge, I think it has its own unique challenges in every match, so I'll try my best to recover and prepare for that one [quarter],” pahayag ni Eala sa Manila Bulletin.
Maagang umarangkada ang 20-year-old upang angkinin ang unang laro, ngunit hindi nagpatinag si five-time WTA runner-up at former World No. 29 player Sasnovich matapos ikandado ang ang anim na puntos sa pitong laro sapat upang maangkin ang unang set.
Samantala, kaagad namang umariba si Eala sa ikalawang set sa kabila ng kanilang 3-3 nip-and-tuck affair matapos kumolekta ng 11 break points sa likod ng 19 unforced errors ni Sasnovich, rason para makaalagwa patungo sa deciding set.
"I really tried my best in those moments to fight. I really tried to find the fight. And in the end, when I was coming back, I was able to find it, so I'm really proud of that. And, once again, the crowd is very proud of that fight as well,” giit ni Eala pagkatapos ng laban sa panayam ng Inquire.Net.
Inaasahang maglalaro din si Eala sa doubles kasama ang Southeast Asian rising star Janice Tjen laban sa duo nina Cristina Bucsa at Zhang Shuai sa quarterfinal ngayong Huwebes ng gabi.
Written by Florenz Gie Abit, Insight PH
Florenz Gie Abit, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
