By Peter Atencio
PHILIPPINE tennis pride Alexandra Eala let out a loud scream as she outlasted her tormentor Katarzyna Kawa of Poland, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, in a first-round match that was delayed by rain at the Suzhou Open WTA 125 on Monday in China.
The 20-year-old Eala went on to avenge her loss to Kawa three years ago when action ended after more than seven hours.
With the count tied at 40-all, Eala unleashed two unanswered forehand volleys to win the 12th game, the third set and the match.
The world no. 56 and fourth-seeded Eala went on to advance to the second round against Belgian rival Greet Minnen for their first ever encounter.
The score stood at 2-all, with ahead at 15-0 when officials halted play because of rain.
When game resumed, Eala managed to take a 6-3 edge in the first set.
But the world no. 124 Kawa, known for being a tenacious, all-court player, fought back to even matters up, 6-3, in the second set.
Eala got the momentum, 3-1, in the third set, but Kawa kept up the pressure with her strong baseline game and backhand prowess to force four deadlocks.
The last tie was at 5-all, with the Polish netter taking the break point with a forehand winner, 40-15.
From there, Eala broke serve, taking their 11th match point of the third set when Kawa erred with her long forehand return, after the Filipina netter unloaded a deep volley in her next shot.
Eala last clashed with Kawa at the 2022 WTA 60 event in Templeton, in San Luis Obispo, California.
Back then, Kawa claimed victory in the second round, 2-6, 6-4, 6-0.
Eala is coming off a semifinal exit at the Jingshan Open last week.
