INDIAN WELLS, California — Filipina tennis sensation Alexandra Eala powered her way into the Round of 16 of the Indian Wells Masters after American star Coco Gauff was forced to retire during their Round of 32 clash Sunday night (Monday in the Philippines), with the Victorias City, Negros Occidental-native already firmly in control of the match.
Eala, currently ranked No. 32 in the WTA standings, was ahead 6-2, 2-0 when the fourth-seeded Gauff decided to stop play, allowing the 20-year-old Filipina to advance deeper into one of the most prestigious tournaments on the women’s tennis calendar.
The rising Filipina star dictated the pace from the opening set, converting five of six break-point opportunities and winning eight games compared to just two for Gauff before the American opted to withdraw.
Match statistics underscored Eala’s dominance. She posted an impressive 96 percent first-serve rate and did not commit a single double fault throughout the contest.
Eala also controlled the exchanges from the baseline, winning the battle in receiving points, 25-11, and finishing with a commanding edge in total points won, 39-25.
The victory also served as redemption for the Filipina standout after her 6-0, 6-2 loss to Gauff in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships last month in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Before facing Gauff at Indian Wells, Eala showcased her grit in the Round of 64 by defeating Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska in a three-set thriller, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5.
However, Eala and partner Iva Jovic were unable to replicate the same success in the doubles event, bowing out of the women’s doubles competition after a 6-2, 6-2 loss to Jelena Ostapenko and Hailey Baptiste in their Round of 32 encounter./PN
