MANILA, Philippines — Digging deep after hurting her right foot in the second set, Alex Eala survived another 3-setter in Toronto, defeating Caty McNally 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to reach the fourth round (round of 16) of the WTA 1000 National Bank Open at the Sobeys Stadium Centre Court Saturday morning in Manila.
Following a service hold by McNally in the ninth game of the decider, the Filipino netter stopped the tough-fighting American by holding serve, capped by a forehand that McNally returned outside to finish the match in 2 hours and 39 minutes.
Eala thus won her seventh consecutive match, dating back to her Washington conquest.
The 21-year-old faces world No. 14 Belinda Bencic in the fourth round.
