SECOND-SEEDED Alex Eala banked on her solid all-around game yesterday (Tuesday in the US) to breeze past American Charlotte Owensby 6-3, 6-3 and into the third round of the US Open junior girls’ singles tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
Eala, who drew an opening-round bye, needed only one hour and six minutes to dispatch the unseeded Owensby to book her spot in the next round against 15th seedGreek Michaela Laki, who subdued American Elizabeth Coleman 6-0, 6-4. Also drawing a first-round bye in the girls’ doubles, the Filipina teen sensation will team up with Belgium’s Hanne Vandewinkel when the sixth-seeded pair tackles the tandem of Laki and Radna Zelnickova of Slovakia tomorrow (Thursday in the US) for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Eala dominated in all departments, winning 19 of 29 points on her first serve for a high 66 percent average, won six of seven net points for an 86 percent clip, and took five of seven break points for a 71 percent norm.
The Pinay southpaw also won 28 of 56 points on her reception for 50 percent, in contrast to Owenby’s 35 percent clip (19/54), and had 16 winners to her rival’s 13.
Eala only had 14 unforced errors to the 25 of Owensby, who also committed six double faults to her opponent’s one. — Bong Pedralvez
