By NIKOLE JAVIER
Alex Eala recovered brilliantly from a sluggish start to subdue local bet Katy Dunne, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, and advance to the finals of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) W25 Aldershot GB Pro Series on Saturday night, Aug. 19 (Manila time) in Great Britain.
It will be the Filipina tennis star’s back-to-back finals appearance in a week’s time as she came back from a set down and another struggling start in the second frame to complete a wondrous fightback.
The 18-year-old Filipina bet took home the W25 Roehampton crown just last week also in Great Britain for her fourth ITF title.
Standing in Eala’s way for a first-ever back-to-back feat and fifth pro title is Australian Destanee Aiava.
The Aussie is no stranger to 18-year-old Eala having faced each other in the Round of 16 of the W25 Roehampton, where Eala also bucked a sluggish first set to come out on top.
The Filipina then teamed up with Aiava in the doubles event of the same tournament and the duo managed to make it to the quarterfinals before crashing out against the Australian pair Petra Hule and Talia Gibson.
In the opening set, Eala struggled to find her rhythm as she failed to break the British veteran who is 10 years older.
Eala appeared to be a goner after falling to a 5-3 hole in the next frame as the British used her vast experience to baffle the Filipina sports princess.
Good thing, Eala rediscovered her deadly form and started to fire booming shots from almost all conceivable angles to level the count at 5-all.
However, Dunne quickly retaliated and regained the lead, but it proved to be her last gallant stand as Eala punished her with several wicked shots to force the decider.
A nip and tuck ensued in the first four games before Eala steadily regained control and zoomed to a 5-2 advantage en route to the victory.
