By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala recovered from a first-set hiccup and turned back American Victoria Hu, 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4, at the start of the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico on Monday, Sept. 2.
The unseeded Eala survived Hu’s hard serves to prevail in the hotly-contested second set that was extend to a tiebreak as the two battled ferociously for every point to the delight of their supporters.
It was almost the same story in the third but it was Eala who proved steadier and smarter in the crunch.
The 22-year-old Hu actually fired 16 aces – five each in the second and third sets — but Eala was not to be denied, coming through with a series of pin-point shots – not mention her sizzling returns to seal the deal.
The win, which came after two hours and 38 minutes of action, arranged Eala a next meeting with a tougher rival in world No. 99 Tatjana Maria of Germany, who walloped American Kayla Day, 7-6 (7), 6-4.
At 37, Maria saw action in several Grand Slam events but her biggest claim to fame was reaching the semis of Wimbledon two years ago. She was coming off a second-round finish at the US Open.
Eala saw action in the US Open qualifiers where she reached the third round.
