Alex Eala makes 2nd round of French Open juniors

FILE – Filipino tennis player Alex Eala. Photo from Rafael Nadal Academy

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tennis star Alex Eala advanced to the second round of the 2020 Roland Garros juniors tournament on Sunday.

Eala avoided an early upset after pulling off a comeback win over Natalia Szabanin of Hungary, 6-4, 6-1.

The 15-year-old Eala rose from a 4-1 deficit in the opening set before the match was momentarily halted due to rain.

But the interruption hardly affected Eala’s momentum as she picked up where she left off when play resumed.

Eala faces Mara Guth of Germany in the second round.

Eala, the world No. 4 juniors player, is seeded second in the girls singles tournament.

She will also compete in girls doubles with American Elvina Kalieva as her partner.