BREAKING NEWS: Alexandra “Alex” Eala has just won the 2022 United States Open Girls Singles Championship, a historic first for the teen tennis star and for the Philippines.
The tournament No. 10 seed Alex Eala delivered a decisive win in two sets, 6-2, 6-4, against No. 2 seed and World Juniors No. 3 Lucie Havlickova of Czech Republic in the US Open finals held September 10 (September 11 early morning Philippine time) in New York City.
The two former Junior World No. 2 athletes played a little over an hour on Court 11 before Eala hammered out a clear win, wrapping up her undefeated run of six games at the outdoor hard courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows.
17-year-old Alex Eala, the doubles champion of the 2020 @AustralianOpen Junior Doubles and 2021 @rolandgarros Junior Doubles, has won the Philippines' first-ever Junior Single Grand Slam title at the @usopen #USOpen in New York@GoodNewsPinas_ https://t.co/6MSXeNLqns
— Angie Quadra-Balibay (@AngieQBalibay) September 10, 2022
Journey to US Open Championship
The 17-year-old Eala’s victorious run in her return to playing in a Juniors Girls tournament after winning her second professional title at the W25 Chiang Rai earlier this year is highlighted by zero set losses in six matches.
Alexandra Eala started the year as the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Girls World No. 8 in the rankings but mostly played professional tournaments this year before the US Open.
She currently carries the ITF Juniors Rank of No. 167 but played like a champion against the higher-ranked girls throughout the tournament which began on August 29.
- Alex Eala defeated World No. 3 Lucie Havlickova of Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-4, to win the US Open Championship.
- In her semifinal match, Eala rejected World No. 15 Victoria Mboko of Canada, 6-1, 7-6, to lift the Filipino player to the finals.
- In the quarterfinals match, Eala dominated World No. 18 seed Mirra Andreeva, 6-4, 6-0, to gain her the semis seat.
- In Round 3, Eala foiled the challenge of World No. 14 Taylah Preston of Australia, 6-2, 7-6.
- In Round 2, Eala defeated World No. 29 Nina Vargova of Slovakia, 6-2, 6-3.
- In Round 1, Eala overpowered World No. 24 Anabelle Xu of Canada, 6-3, 6-0.
The Rafa Nadal Academy scholar has been training in Spain, supported by her family, and received a grant through the Grand Slam Player Development Programme.
Alex Eala of the Philippines was a former @ITFTennis Juniors World No. 2 before playing professionally@GoodNewsPinas_ https://t.co/fysLeStM5t
— Angie Quadra-Balibay (@AngieQBalibay) September 10, 2022
For family, the Filipinos, and the Philippines
At the moment her championship was sealed, Alex Eala turned emotional, shook the hand of her opponent, thanked the cheering crowd, and then rushed to embrace her family in the stands.
Former national swimmer Riza Maniego, her father Mike Eala, and brother and fellow junior champion Miko congratulated the young Eala in front of a roaring crowd of Filipinos who witnessed the young Filipina’s historic game.
In her speech after receiving her US Open Championship trophy, Alexandra Eala spoke in Filipino, addressing her nation.
“Buong puso ko itong ipinaglaban hindi lang para sa sarili ko kundi para makatulong din ako sa kinabukasan ng Philippine tennis. So hindi lang ‘to panalo ko, panalo natin lahat.
[I fought for this with all my heart, not only for myself but to help the future of Philippine tennis. This is not only my victory, but a victory for us all.]
The US Open Championship is Alexandra Eala’s first junior singles Grand Slam victory and her third Grand Slam level win, adding to her titles from the 2021 French Open Roland Garros Junior Doubles and 2020 Australian Open Junior Doubles.
Alex Eala’s new achievement overtakes the Philippines’ previous best Grand Slam performance delivered by Felix Barrientos who reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in 1985.
Alexandra Eala’s three Grand Slam victories leave only Wimbledon for her to conquer, where she debuted amid praises in 2021.
WATCH the heart-warming moment of victory for Alexandra Eala and the Philippines at the US Open Championships in New York City and SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below!
The moment @rnadalacademy scholar Alexandra Eala of the Philippines wins the #USOpen the 17-year-old thanks the cheering crowd then rushes to her family's embrace @GoodNewsPinas_ https://t.co/5OTg801wSl
— Angie Quadra-Balibay (@AngieQBalibay) September 10, 2022
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