Alex Eala advances to Round of 32 in Canadian Open after defeating Alycia Parks
She did it again!
Alex Eala won against US' Alycia Parks 6–1, 4–6, 6–2 in their Round of 64 women's singles match at the WTA1000 National Bank Open in Toronto on Thursday, Aug. 6 (Philippine time).
The victory was especially sweet for World No. 20 Eala, having been defeated by Parks in the Australian Open early this year.
At the beginning of the match, Eala walked onto center court to thunderous cheers from the crowd, prompting the National Bank Open to post a video of the tennis star's entrance with the caption, "Eala mania has landed in Toronto."
In her post-match interview, Eala was full of Pinoy pride.
"Kumusta tayo ngayon, Toronto?" she yelled into the mic. "Iwagayway niyo nga 'yung mga bandila niyo, patingin."
"There are so many Filipinos on the ground tonight, so many flags, thank you!" she continued. "I am eternally grateful. I just came off Washington, so I really feel like this is a celebration."
Addressing the crowd again, Eala said, "Alam niyo, mga kababayan, linggo-linggo ko kayong nakikita, sinusuporta 'ko. Linggo-linggo ko nakikita kung gaano niyo kamahal 'yung kapwa niyong Pinoy. Kaya proud na proud na proud na proud ako din maging Pinoy. Maraming salamat, mga kababayan. Mahal ko kayong lahat."
Days before her Round of 64 win, Eala made history with her first WTA title after dominating Jessica Pegula at the Mubadala DC Open.
Up next, Eala will be figuring in the first round of women's doubles on Aug. 7 around 8:10 a.m. (Philippine time), teaming up with her previous Bad Homburg Open partner Venus Williams. The duo will be going up against Japan's Miyu Kato and Russia's Liudmila Samsonova on center court.
On Aug. 8 at around 12 a.m. (Philippine time), Eala suits up for the Round of 32 in women's singles against American Caty McNally, who is fresh from a victory over Wimbledon champion Linda Nosková.
