Eala survives injury scare, sees off scrappy McNally to stay alive in Canadian Open

Alex Eala overcomes a rolled ankle and claims her place in the round of 16 of the Canadian Open as she outlasts American world No. 70 Caty McNally in three sets

MANILA, Philippines – The grind seems to be taking a toll on Alex Eala as she dealt with an injury scare, but she powered through to keep her winning streak intact.

Eala overcame a rolled ankle and claimed her place in the round of 16 of the Canadian Open following a hard-fought 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 win over Caty McNally of United States at Centre Court of the Sobeys Stadium in Toronto on Friday, August 7 (Saturday, August 8, Manila time).

Holding her nerve after failing to serve out the match in the second set, the Filipina world No. 20 got the job done in the decider to claim her seventh consecutive victory. 

“I’m okay. I think I survived that one. It was so tough,” said Eala. 

“I want to thank Caty for a great match, being a great sport. It’s one of those matches that really could have gone either way. I think it was really down to details and a little bit of luck.” 

Eala twisted her left ankle midway through the second set and called for a medical timeout to have it taped up.

Despite the moment of concern, Eala moved on the cusp of a sweep as she broke McNally to grab a 5-4 lead.

Errors, however, doomed Eala as she failed to close out the match while serving for it and allowed the world No. 70 American to reel off three straight games and force a deciding set.

But it did not take long for Eala to regain her bearings, the Filipina world No. 20 racing to a crucial 3-1 lead in the third set before finishing off McNally in 2 hours and 39 minutes.

Eala fought back tears after sealing the victory, soaking in the support of the Filipino crowd that once again packed Centre Court.

“These two weeks have been incredible for me. Just so many extreme emotions and I’m doing my best to power through and be professional and do what I know how to do,” said Eala. 

“To play in front of you guys, it’s amazing. The motivation to come here and play another match, everything just becomes so much more emotional.” 

Eala’s win over McNally, who stunned reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the previous round, marked her third consecutive over an American after the Filipina outlasted world No. 71 Alycia Parks in the round of 64 and world No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the final of the Washington Open to capture her first-ever WTA Tour title.

Advancing to the last 16 of a WTA 1000 tournament for the first time since the Miami Open, Eala hopes to extend her run as she battles Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic next. – Rappler.com