The Filipina tennis star is continuing her strong performance in the ongoing season.
On Thursday, August 6 (Manila time), Filipina tennis star Alex Eala returned to the hard court as she formally kicked off her campaign in the Canadian Open (National Bank Open) in Toronto.
Fresh from her success in the DC Open in Washington, D.C., U.S.A., where she bagged her first-ever WTA Tour trophy, the 21-year-old faced a familiar face in Alycia Parks in the Round of 64.
Seeded number 25, the Pinay player earned a first round bye to proceed to this stage of the tournament and booking a spot opposite the American, who previously defeated her in their prior match-up at the Australian Open last January.
In the first set, Alex launched her strong run and delivered a huge blow to Alycia, who only managed to break her streak once.
However, that dominance was soon challenged by the latter in the succeeding round and managed to push the the match to a decider.
But Eala was truly unstoppable and despite Parks’ continued pushback, she remained composed to take the third set, and the entire play.
The final scoreline was 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.
With this win, Alex has booked a match against American tennis player Caty McNally in the Round of 32, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 8 (Manila time).
Meanwhile, before the game, Alex also earned praise from netizens on social media after she respectfully turned down a fan’s request to sign an item after her win in DC.
During a quick signint session with fans, whi came ready with caps, tennis balls, and otger memorabilias for her to sign, one presented a Philippine flag.
The tennis star then answered, “Bawal po sa flag,” prompting the man to withdraw the item.
Alex was praised by users for following local laws, especially the Republic Act No. 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.
There, it was explicitly stated that anything that would deface it is strictly prohibited, including signatures, words, and even images.
