Eala yields Jr Orange Bowl crown to top-ranked Czech foe

The country’s top junior player Alexandra Eala stormed to the finals of the tough 56th Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship before bowing to a Czech Tuesday in Coral Gable, Florida.

The 12-year-old Eala, a 7th Grader at Colegio San Agustin, duplicated the feat achieved by Alberto Lim Jr., who in 2011 also made the finals of the 12-Under division of what was considered the breeding ground of future champions.

For her feat, Eala is considered among the upper crust of the Worlds’ 12s, having survived a 128-strong main draw.

“I’m very happy with my performance, I gave it my best,” said Eala, who beat second seed Sofia Costoulas of Belgium, (7-5, 7-6 (3), in the semifinals.

The third seed put up a gallant stand against top-ranked Linda Fruhvitova of Czech Republic, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2, before yielding the championship match which culminated Eala’s busy year.

“She has improved a lot the past 12 months,” said her father, Michael, who accompanied her daughter in Florida.

Eala finished in the semis in Orange Bowl last year. She also made the quarterfinals of the Eddie Herr International also in Florida, improving from her round of 16 finish in 2016.

On the way to the finals, Eala defeated Japan’s Emily Ishida Crossby, 6-1, 6-0, in the opening round, Qavia Lopez of the United States, 6-4, 6-1, in the second round, and ninth seed Kayla Cross of Canada, 7-6 (5), 6-1, in the quarterfinals.

Already, Eala is being considered as the next top Filipino female in the sport that produced Maricris Fernandez in the early 1990s.

Top junior players in the world traditionally end their season in Orange Bowl, which produced the likes of Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki and tennis greats Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.