Alex Eala off to winning start despite rain delay in Portugal

Metro Manila, Philippines - Alex Eala showed why she is the top seed in a WTA 125 tournament with a strong start at the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal.

The 19-year-old Filipino star swept Anouk Koevermans of the Netherlands, 6-3, 6-4, in a rain-delayed match on Tuesday.

The match was stopped and eventually suspended on Monday due to heavy downpour with Eala staring at a 2-4 disadvantage in the second set.

The bad weather did not dampen a rejuvenated Eala as she wasted little time to win the next four games and secure the victory in her season debut on clay.

Aside from competing in the women's singles, Eala is also seeing action in the women's doubles with American Katie Volynets as her partner.

Eala, who now ranks 72nd in the world, is coming off a remarkable run at the Miami Open where she reached the semifinal as a wild card entry. She stunned three former Grand Slam champions on her way to the semis only to be eliminated by world No. 3 Jessica Pegula.