Eala gets past Wang, into Italian Open third round

MANILA, Philippines -- Alex Eala has finally crashed past the second round in this year’s clay season. 

Eala is off to the next round of the Italian Open after sweeping Wang Xinyu, 6-4, 6-3, in their round of 64 clash Friday evening (Manila time) in Rome. 

The pride of the Philippines shook off a slow start and grabbed the win in straight sets after an hour and 26 minutes. 

Eala trailed 0-3 early on against the World No. 33 Chinese. 

But the Filipina stepped on the gas and did not let up, winning the next four games to grab the lead, 4-3. 

Wang then won the eighth game, but Eala finished off the first set with back-to-back games to grab the 1-0 set lead. 

The two tennisters were kept in a tighter match in the second set, as Eala even trailed by a game, 2-3. 

But the World No. 42 swept through the frame as she completed the victory, 6-3. 

She punched in 37 receiving points against her opponent’s 29. She likewise won 26 service points to the Chinese player’s 22. 

The 20-year-old also had her revenge against Wang, who defeated Eala in three sets back in January during the ASB Classic. 

Eala will now face either Greece’s Maria Sakkari or World No. 2 Elena Rybakina in the third round.