Alex Eala posts best US Open run despite missing finals contention

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala both missed qualifying in the singles and doubles finals of the 2021 US Open Juniors.

However, despite the exits, Eala still had her best US Open run after reaching the semifinals of the doubles category and the quarterfinals in the singles.

Eala and her Belgian partner Hanne Vandewinkel had the chance to go on to the finals but were halted by the heavyweight American duo of Reese Brantmeier and Elvina Kalieva.

It was a tightly contested semifinals showdown that ended in a thrilling third-set tiebreaker which the Americans won, 7-5, 2-6, 7-10.

Eala and Vandewinkel had the chance to grab the last set after scoring on two straight net points but the Americans surged back with their offensive run to close the show.

Meanwhile, in the singles category, Eala wasn’t able to hold her ground against the laser-focused Sebastianna Scilipoti in two straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.

Eala is looking to add more Grand Slam titles in her bag after winning the 2021 French Open juniors doubles title.