MANILA – Filipina tennis sensation Alexandra Eala and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams opened their partnership in dominant fashion, cruising into the quarterfinals of the Bad Homburg Open women’s doubles with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory over Australia’s Alexandra Osborne and American Catherine Harrison on Wednesday night in Germany.
Blending Eala’s youthful energy with Williams’ wealth of experience, the pair controlled the match from start to finish to book a place in the last eight of the prestigious WTA 500 grass-court tournament and strengthen their bid for the doubles crown.
Williams and Eala capitalized on four of their seven break-point opportunities, while limiting Osborne and Harrison to just two breaks on three chances. The winning duo also edged their opponents in total points won, 54-50.
Although Osborne and Harrison posted a higher first-serve percentage at 78 percent compared to the 71 percent recorded by Williams and Eala, the Filipino-American tandem proved more efficient on second serves, winning 54 percent of those points against their rivals’ 43 percent.
The pair claimed 12 games overall, including eight service games, while Osborne and Harrison managed only seven games and five service-game victories.
Williams and Eala also held a slight advantage in service points won, 35-31, while both teams finished level with 19 receiving points won.
The victory marked another encouraging step for Eala as she continues to sharpen her grass-court game alongside one of the sport’s all-time greats.
With the win, Williams and Eala advanced to the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 tournament as they continue their quest for the doubles title in Bad Homburg./PN
