By NIKOLE JAVIER
Quick and easy.
That’s how Alex Eala launched her title bid in the ITF W60 Templeton as she blanked Shavit Kimchi of Israel, 6-0, 6-0, Wednesday, Sept. 28 (Thursday in Manila time) at the Templeton Tennis Ranch in California.
The junior champion flew straight to California to train after her historic US Open victory in New York, which helped sustain her form to dispatch her foe in less than an hour.
Eala proved too classy for Kimchi, breaking her serve six times and not once faced a break point during the entire match.
The 17-year-old received a wild card opportunity to enter the competition while Kimchi managed to reach the main draw via two qualifying matches which she both hurded.
However, a challenging task awaits Eala as she faces seventh seed Katarzyna Kawa of Poland in the second round on Thursday (Friday in Manila time).
The 29-year-old Kawa, who is currently 70th in the WTA rankings, won over Renata Zarazua of Mexico in three sets, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, in the same day.
Eala, who is currently gaining momentum to compete in more WTA events will need to exert more efforts against Kawa who has won seven singles titles.
