Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
One of them is a former Grand Slam juniors champion. The other was foiled on her attempt to make the French Open’s main juniors draw.
But Alex Eala, the 13-year-old hotshot whose journey to Roland Garros was scuttled late Friday night, vows to use the defeat to come back stronger when the next opportunity arises.
“I’m very thankful for the support I got. I’m still very happy to reach the final of the qualifying although I lost,” said Eala, who doesn’t have a world juniors ranking yet because she is below 14-years-old.
Her youth did not seem to be a disadvantage until 16-year-old American Peyton Stearns, the 62nd-ranked juniors player in the world, handed her a 6-2, 6-4 defeat in the qualifying final.
Before the final, Eala downed 18-year-old Paula Arias Manjon of Spain, 6-4, 6-4. She flaunted the skill that might someday make her a Grand Slam juniors champion like Daria Kasatkina, who is making waves in the French Open main draw.
Kasatkina, who defeated Maria Sakkari, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3, Friday, was dubbed by legend Chris Evert as the “one who will definitely be dangerous at Roland Garros”.
The 16th-seeded Russian climbed out of a second-set rut by tearing a page out of clay king Rafael Nadal to reach the fourth round of the French Open for the first time.
“A lot, a topspin forehand, movement on the court and fighting spirit for sure. Because I watched Rafa a lot, I started to spin the ball,” the 21-year-old told reporters. “The first time I saw him he was fighting like an animal and he continues to do that.” —WITH A REPORT FROM REUTERS