FILE–Filipino tennis star Alex Eala. –RAFA NADAL TWITTER
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala made quick work of German bet Anja Wildgruber, 6-1, 6-1, to kick off her W25 Monastir campaign on a rousing note on Wednesday at Hotel Skanes Family Monastir Center Court in Tunisia.
Eala, who just turned 18 two days ago, dominated Wildgruber to win her first match of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) event in just 55 minutes.
The first Filipino to win a Grand Slam singles title had a swinging start against German, 3-0, before Wildgruber halted her run. But Eala still controlled the opening set, winning three straight games to draw first blood.
Wildgruber kept Eala within striking distance in the second set, 1-2, but the latter pulled away and took full control of the last four games to advance to the second round.
Eala is seeded No.1 in the tournament and will face Nadine Keller of Switzerland in the second round of the $25,000 tournament on Thursday.
Keller, who is ranked No.483 in the Women’s Tennis Association, took down Victoria Mikhaylova of Russia in the first round, 6-3, 6-3.
Eala, who is currently world-ranked No. 262, is eyeing her third ITF professional crown after ruling the 2021 W15 Manacor in Spain and last year’s W25 Chiang Rai in Thailand.
The Rafael Nadal Academy scholar absorbed an early exit in the Mutua Madrid Open in Spain last month after losing to Tatjana Maria of Germany, 1-6, 1-6.