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| Finally, a pro circuit title for Alex Eala. US Open (file photo) |
MANILA—Alex Eala's groundbreaking year has finally met its long-coveted breakthrough after beating Panna Udvardy of Hungary, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, to win the Abierto Zapopan Guadalajara 125 Open title early Sunday (Philippine Time) at the Panamerican Tennis Center in Zapopan, Mexico.
In a rematch of their April duel in Portugal, Udvardy looked poised to repeat over Eala as the former dominated Set 1.
However, an early Set 2 break gave Eala a huge advantage before braving a late Udvardy comeback to force the decided.
Eala then took advantage again of an early break in Set 3 to eventually surge to a 5-3 lead.
Eala then clinched the championship in style, completing another break by delivering a backhand shot to a spot where Udvardy could not reach.
The 20-year-old Eala made history as the first Filipina tennis star to rule a certain WTA pro event as she can now bury the hatchet of her heartbreaking final defeat to Maya Joint last June in the Eastbourne Open.
