Alex Eala Advances to Round 2 of Suzhou Open After Gritty Marathon Win
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala opened her campaign at the WTA 125 Suzhou Open with a hard-fought victory over Poland’s Katarzyna Kawa, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, on Tuesday.
Originally scheduled for 10 a.m., the match extended over seven hours due to a lengthy rain delay, testing both players’ patience and stamina. Eala secured the opening set 6-3, but Kawa responded in the second, forcing a decisive third set.
In the final stretch, the 19-year-old held her composure under pressure, breaking late in the set to clinch a 7-5 win and secure her place in the Round of 16.
Eala, the current top-ranked Filipina in the WTA circuit, continues to build momentum as she pursues another strong finish in the Asian swing of tournaments.
She now looks ahead to her second-round match, aiming to keep her Suzhou campaign alive.