Alex Eala sweeps Wang Xinyu to reach Italian Open Round of 32

LIVE: Alex Eala vs Wang Xinyu – Italian Open – Round of 64

FILE–Filipino tennis player Alexandra Eala in action.–ALEX EALA INSTAGRAM

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala barged into the Italian Open round of 32 after sweeping Chinese rising star Wang Xinyu, 6-4, 6-3, on Friday (Philippine time).

The Filipino tennis ace recovered from a slow start in the opening set and overcame a 2-3 deficit in the second before winning three straight games to move within a game of the match at 5-3.

Eala, currently No. 42 in the WTA rankings, battled back from a 15-40 deficit in the final game to complete the big win over the world No. 33.

The 20-year-old Eala stumbled to a 0-3 start and needed to survive a tight fourth game in the opening set before winning the next two games to take her first lead at 4-3.

Wang stopped Eala’s run to tie the set at 4-4, but the Filipina quickly regained control and won the final two games to complete the comeback.

Eala avenged her loss to Wang in the ASB Classic semifinals last January, where the Chinese player prevailed, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.

The Rafa Nadal Academy graduate opened her Italian Open campaign with a gritty  6-0, 3-6, 6-4 win over Magdalena Frech of Poland in the first round.

Eala has already surpassed last year’s first-round exit in the tournament.