Unseeded Michael Francis ‘Miko’ Eala stopped Ilya Snitari of Moldova, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, to top the Grade 3 International Tennis Federation Hellenic Bank Masters in Cyprus.
In fending off the 238th-ranked Snitari, the 349th ranked Miko, who is older brother of 14-year old Alexandra, has won his second tournament since taking the runner-up honors in the J3 Neuchâtel event in Switzerland back in June.
“I won the tournament! Dedicating this win to my Lolo Papa! I am headed to Israel for my next tournament,” said Eala in a statement.
Miko is on a tennis scholarship with his sister at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca Spain.
In a message, Miko said he will now compete in Israel in the coming days.
To reach the finals, the 17-year-old Eala turned back Lukas Pokorny of Slovakia, 7-6, 6-2, in the first round.
Then, he eased out Mili Poljicak of Poland, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 in the second round before prevailing against Thibault Virdier of France, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, in the quarterfinals.
After that, Eala outplayed Marc Ktiri of Spain, 6-1, 6-1, in the semifinals.
In June last year, Eala claimed his first crown in a Grade 4 event. Peter Atencio
