TENNIS | Alex Eala wins fourth International Tennis Federation (ITF) title, rules W25 Roehampton

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MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala ruled the W25 Roehampton after dominating Arina Rodionova of Australia in the final, 6-2, 6-3, on Sunday in London.

The 18-year-old Filipino left everything on the floor in her final match, starting 3-0 in both sets to set the tone of her dominant showing against the second seed and world No. 166 Rodionova.

When Eala held a 5-2 lead in the second set by sweeping the seventh game, the 33-year-old Aussie tried to save her title hopes, taking the extended eighth game and fighting back from a 15-40 deficit in the ninth.

But the No.6 seed Eala delivered the finishing blows to prevail in an hour and 57 minutes.

“ITF Pro Title #4!! Just in time for my parent’s 25th Anniversary tomorrow! Love you mom and dad,” Eala posted on her Facebook account, along with photos of her family who were present during the match.

It was Eala’s fourth overall International Tennis Federation (ITF) crown, her second title this year after ruling W25 Yecla last June.

The first Filipino to win a Grand Slam singles title won two championships in a year for the first time. Her first two pro crowns came from two different years in the W15 Manacor in 2021 and W25 Chiang Rai last year.

The Rafael Nadal Academy product, who is currently Women’s Tennis Association No. 250,  had a masterful campaign in London as she beat Australian netters in the first two rounds with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over qualifier Gabriella Da Silva Fick followed by a  3-6, 7-5, 6-3 conquest over her doubles partner, Destanee Aiava in the second round.

Eala stunned the top seed Priscilla Hon, 6-2, 6-4, in the quarterfinal of the $25,000 tournament and then withstood the No.3 seed Arianne Hartono of the Netherlands with a 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-1 victory.

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