FILE–Filipino tennis player Alex Eala. Megan Briggs/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala earned the biggest win so far in her pro career, jumpstarting her Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Mutua Madrid Open on a high note.
Eala, a wildcard entry and World No.170, stunned WTA ranked No. 41 Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, on Tuesday in Spain.
“Third time’s the charm 🪄 A first round win here in @mutuamadridopen!! First WTA1000 main draw win hehe🫨 Vamoss! Pumped to go back for round,” Eala posted on her social media accounts.
READ: Alex Eala vows to come back stronger after Miami Open exit
The 18-year-old Filipino fought back from a first-set defeat by breaking a 4-4 tie in the second set to force a decider.
In the third set, Eala blew a 2-0 start as Tsurenko took the driver’s seat with a 4-3 advantage.
The Rafael Nadal Academy graduate unleashed a huge comeback, winning three straight games to defeat her highest-ranked opponent yet in the WTA Masters 1000 event.
Eala battles Romania’s Sorana Cirstea on Thursday.
READ: Alex Eala rises to new-career best in WTA rankings
The young Filipino is set to battle the World No.30 netter as she tries to enter the third round.