By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala stunned former world No. 5 Sara Errani of Italy, 6-3, 6-1, and advanced to the final qualifying round of the Miami Open 2024 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida on Monday, March 18 (Manila time).
The 18-year-old Eala banked on her strong serves to frustrate Errani, a 2012 Roland Garros finalist, and inch closer to the main draw of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 event.
It was Eala’s biggest victory in a flourishing career since Erranin, 36, not only proud owner of five Grand Slam doubles titles but is currently ranked No. 100 in the world.
“A day of firsts at Miami Open! First Top 100 win! First time through the final qualy of a WTA 1000 event! Lets’ keep pushing!” Eala wrote on social media moments after her victory.
But a tougher road awaits Eala as she next faces Colombian Emiliana Arango on Tuesday, March 19 (Manila time), for a spot in the 128-player main draw.
The 23-year-old Colombian who rose from a second-set hiccup and turned back Kayla Day of the United States, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.
On paper, Arango is more experience than Eala with her current career ranking at No. 121. The Filipina is at No. 176.
Though the Colombian only has three International Tennis Federation (ITF) singles to her credit compared to Eala’s four, Arango has beaten some of the well decorated players that include former world No. 3 Sloane Stephens at the 2023 Guadalajara Open Akron and former world No. 2 Vera Zvonareva at the 2023 Catalonia Open.
For Eala to advance to the main draw, she has to raise her level of game a notch higher though.
