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Alex Eala stops second-seed in ITF Menacor second leg


Alex Eala stands undefeated so far this year.

After taking the first leg title, the 15-year-old Filipina survived second-seeded Mirjam Bjoklund, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, in the first round of the second leg of the ITF World Tennis Tour in Manacor, Spain, Wednesday evening (Philippine time).

Picking up from where she left off this weekend, Eala kept up with the 22-year-old Swede in the opening set. She then saw herself forced into the decider.

The Filipina kept her unblemished slate at six, after her upset of Bjorklund, who is a three-time champion in 2019 for the ITF Tour Circuit and currently stands at 315th in WTA and 250th in ITF.

Both players showed strong service games, with 62-percent on the first serve for Eala and 65-percent for the Swede. It was the second serve of the former that became the turning point. Eala won 66-percent on her second serve.

This second leg of the W15 Manacor tournament is just Eala’s second of the year after going pro just the previous year.

The reigning Australian Open juniors doubles champion shifts her focus on another hometown bet in Alba Carillo Marin on Thursday.

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Grew to appreciate various sports from tennis to judo. True-maroon kiddo since the new millennium. Fanboy. Singer. Occasional sports writer.


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