Alex Eala, struggling with her first serves, still got off to a great start by stunning second-seeded Mirjam Bjorklund of Sweden, for a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 triumph
This allowed the 15-year-old Eala to advance to the second round in the second leg of the W15 Manacor tournament of the International Tennis Federation Women’s World Tour in Spain on Wednesday evening.
Eala, who scored more on her second serves, needed two hours and 17 minutes to repulse Bjorklund, who is currently ranked 315 in the Women’s Tennis Association and 250 in ITF Singles.
It was her second tournament this 2021 and Eala’s latest win came three days after she women the first leg title.
In the taking the first leg honors, Eala outplayed world no. 132 ranked Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers of Spain, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.
Knocking 32 points out of her second serves, Eala recovered her bearings after losing the second set Bjorklund.
Spanish bet Alba Carillo-Marin arranged a second round showdown with Eala.
Carillo-Marin earned the right to face Eala after she turned back Lena Papadakis of Germany, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
Iva Primorac of Croatia also scored an upset when she eased out third seed Anastasia Detluc of the Czech Republic, who retired after Primorac took a 6-3 lead.
Top seeded Swiss Simona Waltert reached the second round with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Oksana Selekhmeteva, 6-4, 6-2.
Eala, who is the current junior world No. 3, is already gaining recognition after she made it to the semifinals of the girls’ singles event at Roland Garros last year.