Vlad Bunoan

Alex Eala all smiles at 'Stars of the Open'

Article (news)

TJ Manotoc

ABS-CBN News

<p>This time last year Alex Eala was ranked 75th and made history by winning her first-ever grand slam main draw match. A year later, she is back as one of tennis’ rising stars coming to New York as the 18th ranked player in the world. </p><p>Eala was handpicked to be a part of the US Open’s “Stars of the Open” as she played a one-set exhibition match vs good friend and 14th ranked Iva Jovic.</p><p>The crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, filled with Filipinos, gave Eala a roaring welcome as the entered the court. The Filipina was down early 0-2 after an early break by Jovic, but Eala bounced back and tied the match at 2-2 after getting a break of her own. But from there Jovic showed her poise amidst the fanfare and took care of business, winning 6-3.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787894870015IMG_6113.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>But it really was not meant to be a competitive match as this was for the fans. Mid-match there was a break where 13-year-old Amanda Marcano-James from the Harlem Junior Tennis Program was given a few moments to play 2 vs 1 with Eala and Jovic.</p><div><br/><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787894392221IMG_6103.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>And before the end of the match, Jovic and Eala grabbed their dads, Bojan and Mike, to play a cute moment of dad girl doubles.</p><p>Filipino fans came from all over.</p><p>“Kahapon napaiyak ako when I saw her for the first time,” said Nella from Jaxonville, Florida.</p><p>First time tennis fans, mother and daughter tandem, Melanie and Kiara Aldea, came from Texas. “It was overwhelming and surreal to see Alex in person.”</p><p>And friends Liza Manawis and Marife Tolentino from California said, “Susundan namin sya kahit saan.” They came wearing specially made t-shirts with “Fookelya - the fool proof serve” to support Alex. “Us Filipinos we are really proud of our kababayans who succeed in their field.”</p><p>On Friday, Eala wraps up her fan week festivities as she will take part in media day as well as have a guesting in a live podcast recording with tennis legend Andy Roddick. Her first match in the first round is set vs a &#x27;to be determined&#x27; qualifier.</p>

<p>Alex Eala was handpicked to be a part of the US Open’s “Stars of the Open” as she played a one-set exhibition match vs good friend and 14th ranked Iva Jovic.</p>

Alex Eala was handpicked to be a part of the US Open’s “Stars of the Open” as she played a one-set exhibition match vs good friend and 14th ranked Iva Jovic.