Eala shows mental tenacity, advances to Roland Garros 2nd round

 

By Kristoffer Ed Bellen

MANILA--Alex Eala overcame a slow start to finish strong and book her place into the second round of the 2020 Roland Garros Juniors' Girls Singles competition after defeating Natalia Szabanin, 6-4, 6-1, at Court 4, early Monday, Manila time.

The second seed weathered a huge hole in the opening set after finding herself down 0-4 early in the get-go as she stormed to an unbelievable run, winning 12 of the last 13 games and converting all but two of her nine total breakpoints along the way.

Eala, who now needs one more win to match her career-high showing at any Slam event after her third round exit at the Australian Open in January, will next face unseeded German Mara Guth later Monday, as the latter defeated hometown favourite Sarah Iliev, 6-4, 6-3.

Meanwhile, Eala and her American partner Elvina Kalieva will play their opening round match in the Girls' Doubles competition on Tuesday against Italians Eleonora Alvisi and Lisa Pigato as the third seeds.

Follow him on Twitter: @KristoffBellen