![Alex Eala in action in the W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz tennis](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2024/07/451403699_1012402123590262_4255733182046052700_n.jpg)
Alex Eala in action in the W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz. –ALEX EALA FACEBOOK
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala opened her singles campaign in the W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz with a 6-4, 6-2 win over qualifier Lian Tran of the Netherlands on Wednesday (Manila time) in Spain.
Eala dominated the opening set with a 5-2 start and never looked back to draw first blood. She started slow in the second frame, trailing 1-2 but won five straight games to end her first-round game in just 70 minutes.
READ: Alex Eala rises to new WTA career-high rankings
The 19-year-old Filipino battles home bet Lucia Cortez Llorca of Spain in the second round on Thursday evening.
Eala recently made her career-high Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) world ranking from No.162 to 155.
READ: Alex Eala misses out on Wimbledon main draw
Eala is also competing in the doubles with French partner Estelle Cascino, facing Victoria Bervid of Czechia and Laura Mair of Italy in the quarterfinal early Friday.
The Filipino-French tandem beat home bets and sisters Carolina and Jimena Gomez, 6-3, 6-2, in the first round.
Eala won a doubles title with her French partner Cascino in the W75 Croissy-Beaubourg in France last March.