Metro Manila, Philippines – Alex Eala defeated Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine, 6-1, 6-4, to march on to the third round of the U.S. Open on Friday, Sept. 4.
The 21-year-old, seeded 17th in the tournament, exacted revenge against Oliynykova who got the better of her in their previous meeting in Strasbourg in May.
Eala wasted little time taking control of the match, racing to an early 4-0 lead before eventually closing out the first set.
Both traded games to level the score at 3-3 in the second set, with Eala pulling away after the deadlock to seal the win in just an hour and four minutes.
Eala has surpassed her historic U.S. Open run last year, advancing to the Round of 32 this time around.
“I think my patience and the consistency of my focus. I think that was the key to winning the match today,” Eala said after the victory.
Eala will next face American Iva Jovic, who is ranked higher in the competition at 14th, in the third round set for Sept. 5.
