 |
| Alex Eala got her sweet revenge against Oleksandra Oliynykova. Richard Esguerra (file photo) |
MANILA—Alex Eala made sure Oleksandra Oliynykova would not pull off another major upset against her as the Filipina sensation won a 6-1, 6-4 decision in the second round of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King Center in New York City early Friday (Philippine Time).
Eala had a dominant start, racing to a 4-0 lead and looking to be on the verge of completing a Set 1 bagel, but Oliynykova got on the board after breaking Eala's serve in Game 5.
Eala got the break point back in Game 6, and she made sure Set 1 was hers by holding her serve in Game 7 to achieve the lady's sweep.
Oliynykova seemed to have found her groove in Set 2 after opening the period with a 2-1 lead, but Eala broke her serve in Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead.
Oliynykova took the break point back in Game 6 to draw even at 3-all, but Eala scored another break point to eventually go 5-3 up.
Oliynykova held her serve to keep herself in the match, but Eala held her own serve in Game 10 to seal the win.
With the victory, Eala avenged her shock three-set loss to Oliynykova in the Strasbourg Open.
A showdown against close friend Iva Jovic now looms for Eala.
Jovic beat Francesca Jones in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 later Friday.
