By el Amigo
MANILA — Alex Eala returns to Louis Armstrong Stadium Thursday with revenge on her mind and a growing army of Filipino supporters behind her as she takes on Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova in the second round of the US Open.
Her second-round match is slated for 1 p.m. Thursday, or 1 am Friday Manila time.
The No. 17 seed enters the match brimming with confidence after dismantling American qualifier Mary Stoiana, 6-1, 6-2, in the opening round.
Eala was especially impressive under pressure, saving all six break points she faced while converting four of eight opportunities on Stoiana’s serve.
But Thursday’s test could be much tougher.
Oliynykova, ranked No. 46 in the world, defeated Eala in their only previous meeting, rallying from a set down to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in Strasbourg last May. The Ukrainian also advanced in New York with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over American Reese Brantmeier.
Eala, however, is a different player from the one Oliynykova faced in France.
The 21-year-old Filipina arrives in New York after a breakthrough season highlighted by her WTA 500 DC Open title and a fourth-round run at Wimbledon.
She will also have something she did not have in Strasbourg: a passionate Filipino crowd.
Hundreds of supporters packed Louis Armstrong Stadium for her first-round victory, waving Philippine flags and cheering “Laban Alex” throughout the match. The US Open has embraced the phenomenon surrounding Eala, whose popularity has surged among Filipinos in New York.
A win would send Eala into the US Open third round for the first time.
For the Filipina star, it is another chance to prove that her breakthrough season is no fluke.
