MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala bounced back from a shock exit in the French Open Girls’ Singles tournament with a two-set victory in the first round of the Girls’ Doubles tourney with Russian partner Oksana Selekhmeteva on Monday (early Tuesday, Manila time).
Just hours removed from her first round singles loss against Matila Mutavdzic, Eala and Selekhmeteva made easy work of Alina Shcherbinina and Evialina Laskevich, 6-4, 6-4, to advance to the Round of 16.
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Though seeded first in the tournament, Eala and Selekhmeteva had to buck a slow start where they trailed early, 1-3, in the opening set.
It was a stronger start for Eala and Selekhmeteva in the second set where they zoomed to a 3-0 lead.
They, however, had to fight back a comeback effort from their opponents who closed the gap, 5-4, late in the match.
The pair are fresh off a Finals stint at the W25 Platja D’Aro in Spain where they fell short of the doubles title.
Eala now stands to win her second Grand Slam Girls’ Doubles title after first winning the Australian Open Girls’ Doubles in 2020 with Indon partner Priska Nugroho.
She and Selekhmeteva will continue their campaign on Wednesday against Sofia Costoulas from Belgium and Laura Hietaranta of Finland.