WIN OR LOSE, Alexandra “Alex” Eala is already assured of taking home a $154,000 or around P8.7-million cash award.
However, financial gain is not her current focus as she aims to achieve even more priceless accomplishments in the second round of the 2025 US Open against Spain’s Cristina Bucsa at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
Ms. Eala, who is 20, was matched against the 27-year-old Spaniard in the Round of 64 commencing Tuesday after the latter’s 6-2, 6-1 victory over qualifier Claire Liu from the United States in their initial round battle.
The exact timing of the match and court assignment in Flushing Meadows is yet to be confirmed, but the “ambitious” Eala is eager to get started following an exhilarating 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) victory over world No. 15 Clara Tauson from Denmark.
The unseeded Eala displayed remarkable composure in front of an 8,000-strong, pro-Filipino audience, staging a comeback from a 1-5 deficit in the third set to oust the seasoned Tauson, who is also ranked 14th in the highly competitive 128-player lineup.
“They weren’t joking when they said this was the city of dreams. All focus is on the second round,” stated Ms. Eala, who made history as the first Filipino to win in the main draw of any Grand Slam.
“I would assert that anything is feasible. Dream ambitiously. Personally, I’m very driven, although no one from my country has achieved this before and succeeded. I drew inspiration from all sources, from my family to my brother. It’s simply about being ambitious, dreaming big, and believing you can accomplish it.”
The objective now is also to become the inaugural Filipino to advance to a second round in any Grand Slam event, with familiar adversary Ms. Bucsa in her path.
Ms. Eala, crowned the 2022 US Open girls’ singles champion, holds a slightly superior ranking at No. 75 compared to No. 95 Ms. Bucsa, but the Spanish veteran possesses significant experience in doubles as world No. 35, boasting 21 professional titles.
Ms. Bucsa has also secured a bronze medal for Spain alongside partner Sara Sorribes Tormo in the 2024 Paris Olympics women’s doubles, providing her with an experience edge over the rising Filipino star.
A scholarship alumni of the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain, Ms. Eala, however, triumphed over Ms. Bucsa in their first and only match to date back in the 2021 W25 Grenoble in France, winning 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10-8).
Another victory for Ms. Eala would position her against either world No. 31 Elise Mertens of Belgium or No. 164 Lulu Sun of New Zealand in the third round.
It becomes more challenging for Ms. Eala from that point with the giants of the sport, including No. 1 and reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka, No. 4 Jessica Pegula, No. 5 Mirra Andreeva, No. 8 Jasmine Paolini, and No. 10 Elena Rybakina, awaiting her in a heavily stacked bracket.
Ms. Eala assures one thing, she’s prepared and “ambitious” to overcome the odds once again. — John Bryan Ulanday
