WASHINGTON — Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala rallied past China’s Zheng Qinwen, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, on Tuesday to reach the second round of the Mubadala Citi DC Open, drawing strong support from Filipino fans in the US capital.
The 21-year-old Eala overcame a slow start and raised her intensity as the match progressed, completing the victory in 2 hours and 26 minutes.
Filipino fans filled the venue with cheers throughout the match, continuing to support Eala after her historic Wimbledon run, where she became the first Filipino to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles tournament.
Eala credited the Filipino community in Washington for creating an atmosphere that helped her through the match.
“I think the question should be rephrased—it’s what it’s like to be Filipino,” Eala said when asked about the support she receives from Filipino fans around the world.
She later praised the local Filipino community for creating an atmosphere that made the match enjoyable and competitive.
Eala said she focused on maintaining intensity and limiting unforced opportunities for Zheng, a higher-ranked opponent.
“I think I just focused point by point,” Eala said. “I was trying to keep the intensity in every point that I had and try not to give her too many free points.”
The victory set up a second-round meeting with defending champion and seventh seed Leylah Fernandez, whose mother is Filipino.
Eala acknowledged the challenge ahead, describing Fernandez as an “amazing player” and “an amazing person.”
In the men’s draw, second seed Ben Shelton defeated fellow American Martin Damm, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, in a rain-interrupted match. Shelton will next face France’s Ugo Humbert.
Australian teenager Cruz Hewitt, 17, also earned his first ATP Tour main-draw victory, defeating American qualifier Marcos Giron, 6-3, 6-4.
