Ched Rick Gatchalian

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Alex Eala sharpens game 2 days before US Open

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

The day after the US Open draw was completed (Friday in New York), Alex Eala put in two solid practice sessions at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.In her first session, Eala hit for an hour with Japanese player Moyuka Uchijima (WTA No. 92), also in the main draw. The two exchanged cross-court and down-the-line groundstrokes, volleys, serves, and played points. Afterward, Eala did a light gym session before returning to the practice courts for another hour with Mayar Sherif of Egypt (WTA No. 77), who is also competing in the main draw.On court with Eala were her coaches from the Rafa Nadal Academy — Joan Bosch and head fitness coach Lluc Bauza — along with her father, Mike Eala.Alex is set for a big first-round clash at the US Open on Sunday against World No. 15 and 14th seed Clara Tauson of Denmark. This marks her first main-draw appearance at the US Open women’s singles event.“The last few weeks have been good training at the Academy,” said Mike Eala.All the coaches have been helping Alex raise her level of tennis while she recovered from the shoulder issue she had after the Canadian Open. ‘She’s been preparing in Mallorca for the past three weeks with Joan Bosch and Lluc Bauza. The whole Rafa Nadal Academy was there for her. Let’s see how it goes.”Mike added: “The training never stops. There were certain areas of her game that you don’t work but there are also specific areas we continue to work onThe US Open is a special venue for Eala, who won the junior girls’ singles title here in 2022. Hard courts are also her favorite surface, well-suited to her powerful baseline game.“The US Open is a place with good memories. Alex is prepared to give her best on Sunday (Monday morning Manila time). She had a good grass-court season, and now she’s back on her favorite surface. Let’s see how the match goes,” said her father.Playing in New York also gives Eala a boost from the large Filipino community that traditionally comes out to support her.“She loves these courts, and the Filipino fans make a big difference,” said Mike. “There are so many Filipinos in New York. Hopefully, they can come out on Sunday at the Grandstand Court. The support really means a lot.”Her opponent, Clara Tauson, is enjoying a career-high ranking coming into the US Open. The Danish star has had a strong 2025 season, reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon and the semifinals at the Montreal WTA 1000, where she beat Madison Keys and World No. 1 Iga Świątek before falling in the semis.“The opponent is really good, so anything can happen,” said Mike Eala. “We’re coming in with no expectations. The only thing we know is that Alex will fight — and let’s see where that takes us.”On Friday, Filipinos were among the thousands of fans at the US Open Fan Week, watching practice sessions, enjoying interactive activities, and cheering on Eala. Many expressed their excitement to support her on Sunday.“Kaya mo ‘yan, Alex!” said one Pinoy fan. “We believe in you. Laban Pilipinas!” said another supporter, who drove seven hours from another state just to be at the US Open.Eala’s match against Tauson is scheduled as the second match on Grandstand Court, following an 11 a.m. men’s singles match which is best of 5 sets .

The day after the US Open draw was completed (Friday in New York), Alex Eala put in two solid practice sessions at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The day after the US Open draw was completed (Friday in New York), Alex Eala put in two solid practice sessions at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.