PLAYING with a tweaked right ankle against the tough-fighting American Caty McNally, Filipino tennis ace Alexandra "Alex" Eala displayed tremendous grit to pull off a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 win and enter the WTA 1000 National Bank Open fourth round (round of 16) at the Sobeys Stadium Centre Court in Toronto Saturday morning in Manila.
Using a medical timeout after the fifth game in the second set, Eala could not close out McNally, who battled back from 2-3 and 4-5 game deficits to send the third-round match to a decider.
World No. 20 Eala found another gear in the third set as she surged to a 4-2 lead, but No. 70 McNally stayed within striking distance at 4-5 with a service hold.
The Filipino netter stopped the American right there, holding a serve capped by a forehand that McNally returned outside to finish the match in 2 hours and 39 minutes.
Eala, who also won a 3-setter against American Alycia Parks in the second round, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, became emotional after the match, which was played before another sold-out, Filipino-dominated crowd.
"I'm OK. Yeah, I think I survived that one; it was so tough," said Eala in the court interview.
"I want to thank Caty for a great match, being a great sport. It's one of those matches that really could have gone either way. I think it was really down to details and a little bit of luck, so give her her flowers, guys; it was a really great match."
Eala barely topped McNally in service points won, with a 54 percent (50-of-92) success rate compared to the latter's 52 percent (48-of-92).
The return points won department was just as close, with Eala hitting 48 percent (44-of-92) and McNally 46 percent (42-of-92).
Errors spelled the difference in the match, especially in double faults, with McNally having 5 against Eala's 2.
Winning her seventh consecutive match dating back to her Washington conquest for her first Tour-level title, Eala faces world No. 14 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in the fourth round on Monday.
Bencic gutted a third-set win in her round of 16 match against Taylor Townsend that lasted 3 hours and 24 minutes: 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-4.
Venus wants Alex-Serena tandem
Tennis legend Venus Williams floated an intriguing idea for Eala — a future doubles partnership with her sister, Serena Williams.
Venus and Eala made an early exit at the National Bank Open doubles competition, falling to Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova and Japan’s Miyu Kato, 4-6, 3-6, in the opening round on Friday morning (Manila time).
Despite the defeat, the young star and tennis icon remained in high spirits during their post-match press conference, where Venus jokingly suggested that Eala should add Serena to her list of dream doubles partners.
“Yeah, I think Alex has got to put on her list to play with Serena one day,” the 46-year-old Venus said.
Eala immediately reacted with surprise.
“Oh my god,” Eala exclaimed.
Venus then explained why she believes such a partnership would be fitting.
“Then she can complete the Williams Sisters,” Venus said.
The idea came as Venus recalled her and Serena’s plans to reunite on the doubles court at Wimbledon after receiving a wild card.
However, the sisters eventually withdrew from the tournament as Serena dealt with an injury.
“I think the whole world was looking for Wimbledon and it just didn’t end up where we had hoped,” Venus said. “So hopefully we can get on the court, and get back in the swing of things and pick up where we left off.”
While Venus heaped praise on Eala, the 21-year-old Filipina also took the opportunity to acknowledge the immense impact the Williams sisters have had on tennis and women’s sports.
“For me it’s super inspiring. The things that the Williams sisters have done for tennis are incredible. They just keep doing it and keep helping us, especially the women in sports,” Eala said.
Eala also recalled watching Serena compete at Wimbledon, an experience that allowed her to witness one of her childhood inspirations up close.
“I remember when Serena came back at Wimbledon, I also went to watch her game from the stands, like the end of the second and a bit of the third,” she said.
“So just to be able to really experience it live and from a closer vicinity than I did when I was younger, it’s a great pleasure for me.”
Although their Toronto doubles campaign ended early, Venus’ suggestion opened the door to a potentially exciting partnership between Eala and Serena — and a chance for the Filipina to complete the rare distinction of playing alongside both Williams sisters. NIEL VICTOR MASOY, NICOLE ANNE BUGAUISAN
