Alexandra Eala Cruises to US Open First Round Win
Filipino star thanks her legions of fans who turned the tournament into a home away from home.
Quick Look
Alexandra Eala defeated American Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2 in the first round of the US Open at Louis Armstrong Stadium, praised by a large crowd of Filipino fans.
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Why It Matters
Alexandra Eala competed in the first round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York.
Alexandra Eala cruised to a straight sets win in the first round of the US Open, then thanked her legions of fans who turned the tournament into a home away from home for the Philippine star.
Eala dispatched American Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2 in Louis Armstrong Stadium, cheered on by supporters who had packed out the practice court just to watch her train in the hours before her opening match.
In a brief on-court interview, the charismatic 21-year-old said the fans made it “such a pleasure to do my job”.
Her fans arrived at Flushing Meadows bearing Filipino flags, and wearing hats telling her to fight on “Laban Alex”. They cheered her sizzling groundstrokes, documented her volleys and serves in photos and video, and in some cases FaceTimed with friends or family.
And this was only at the practice courts.
It was about four hours before Eala was scheduled to play and every seat at the practice court was filled. Many of Eala’s fans didn’t have tickets for the evening session on Monday in New York. But they’d come to see their idol hit some tennis balls.
Open Questions
- Who will Eala face in the next round of the US Open?
