Patience key for Alex Eala in completing DC Open comeback vs. Leylah Fernandez

Alexandra “Alex” Eala and Leylah Fernandez's DC Open Round of 16 match was on the verge of heading to a third set, with the Canadian player leading 5-1 in Set 2.

Eala took Set 1, 6-2, but the erstwhile defending champion regained her footing and confidence to pull away.

Eala, now more experienced on tour, changed the narrative. After falling behind four games, Eala claimed five straight games to take a 6-5 lead in Set 2. While Fernandez blanked Eala in the next game, the Filipina ace claimed three quick points in the tiebreak before Fernandez got on the board.

Determined to win, Eala claimed four more points to complete the comeback.

READ MORE | Alex Eala storms back from Set 2 hole, dethrones Leylah Fernandez en route to DC Open QFs

“I think I had definitely some tough moments in that match, and credit to Leylah, she put me in some really tough positions. So, I think I'm super proud of how I fought and how I stayed in there,” Eala said after she dethroned Fernandez.

Eala knew she just had to be patient to make things happen during that comeback.

“Yeah, I know that she was playing a little better, and maybe my level had dropped a little bit. I think those are very tricky moments when you know your level's dropped, and you want to do better, but things just, for one reason or another, aren't coming together. I think patience was key there, and just trying to work it out and have a strong mentality in terms of trying to find solutions,” she added.

Fortunately for Eala, her coach, Joan Bosch, and many Filipinos were cheering her on.

“I mean, it's super important that Joan, who's here with me, is my confidant. I trust him a lot, as well as my team back home.”

Eala, now among the quarterfinalists, awaits the winner of the match between Elina Svitolina and Polina Kudermetova.

—JMB, GMA News