Alex Eala beats Caty McNally, advances to Canadian Open Round of 16

Alexandra “Alex” Eala continued her impressive run at the Canadian Open, defeating Caty McNally, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 on Friday (Saturday, Philippine time) in the Round of 32 to advance to the fourth round of the WTA 1000 event in Toronto.

Eala bucked a slow start as McNally took an early 3-1 lead in the opening set before the Filipina ace regained her footing and pulled away to take the set.

She carried the momentum into the second set, taking a 3-2 lead before calling for a medical timeout to attend to her left ankle. McNally took advantage of the situation, surging ahead before Eala leveled the set at 4-all. McNally eventually forced a deciding set.

With her back against the wall, Eala raced to an early 2-0 lead before pulling away to a 4-2 advantage. McNally tried to inch closer by taking the next game, but Eala regained her footing and closed out the victory after two hours and 39 minutes.

“I think I survived that one. It was tough,” Eala said, while also praising her opponent.

“I want to thank Caty for a great match, being a great sport. It's one of those matches that could've gone either way. I think it was really down to details and a little bit of luck, so give her her flowers.”

The Filipina ace entered the match after beating Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, in the Round of 64. Eala received a first-round bye at the Canadian Open.

The victory also marked Eala’s seventh straight win since the first round of the DC Open, where she captured her first WTA title.

Eala will face Belinda Bencic in the next round.

Meanwhile, Eala’s doubles campaign with partner Venus Williams came to an end in the Round of 32 after they fell to Liudmila Samsonova and Miyu Kato, 6-4, 6-3.

—JKC, GMA News