By MARK REY MONTEJO
Alex Eala is still savoring the moments of her historic campaign at the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico earlier this month.
Eala, 20, shared some photos of her quest on Mexican soil where she captured her first-ever WTA 125 title, a feat that embellished her status in the women’s global list after reaching a career-high rank of No. 56.
“Trophy appreciation post before I start the Asian swing!” Eala wrote on her Instagram post Friday, Sept. 19.
In the Mexico joust, the 5-foot-9 lefty was nothing but sensational, outlasting her rivals and capped it off with a come-from-behind 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 final win over Hungary’s Panna Udvardy.
However, her momentum and string of victories were spoiled by her regional rival in Indonesian Janice Tjen in the quarterfinals of the São Paulo Open, denying the charming Filipina netter a shot to clinch her first WTA 250 crown.
But Eala’s journey continues, this time, in the Jingshan Tennis Open in China slated Sept. 22 to 28. In the WTA 125 event, Eala will have familiar faces to contend with, among them are New Zealand’s Lulu Sun and Dutch Arianne Hartono.
The Asian and Southeast Asian Games medalist lost to Sun twice – in last year’s ITF Slovakia’s doubles and The Wimbledon Championships’ singles events.
Against Hartono, Eala proved to be the better one as she beat her thrice, including in the first round of Guadalajara event – 6-2, 6-2.
The official draw for Jingshan meet is still unavailable and is expected to be announced soon.
