Alex Eala defeated Magdalena Frech, 6-0, 3-6, 6-4, in the first round of the Italian Open.
The Filipina was made to work hard for her spot in the second round, where she will meet China’s Wang Xinyu.
How far can Alex Eala go at the Italian Open?
She’s into the second round!
If Eala beats Wang, she might set up a true WTA dream match in Rome.
Alex Eala could play Elena Rybakina in the third round of the Italian Open
The Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina will begin her Italian Open campaign in the second round against Lilli Tagger or Maria Sakkari.
Assuming she wins her opener, Rybakina will meet Eala or Wang in the third round.
Eala and Rybakina have yet to play each other on the WTA Tour, and the dream match has never been this close to happening.
Fans of both players would love to see one of the brightest prospects in women’s tennis face off against a two-time Grand Slam champion at a WTA 1000 event as prestigious as the Italian Open.
It would be a real dream match, and a symbolic moment in Asian tennis.
Eala and Rybakina are two of Asia’s greatest tennis exports, and have taken the game to new heights.
Rybakina became the first Kazakh to win a Grand Slam when she lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish at Wimbledon four years ago, and doubled her major tally in January.
She’s established herself as one of the top players in the game, following in the footsteps of Li Na and Naomi Osaka.
Eala, on the other hand, has grown a fan base the likes of which we’ve never seen before.
The 21-year-old has yet to crack the top 20, but is more popular than most players on tour.
She has brought millions of eyes to tennis, and will continue to do so throughout the remainder of her career.
So if and when Eala and Rybakina face off, they will do so with the world watching.
How well did Alex Eala play in her first-round match?
Eala made a blistering start against her Polish opponent, winning the first set 6-0.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t maintain that level in the second set as Frech fought back to force a decider on Pietrangeli.
Eala looked to be heading for a second consecutive first-round exit in Rome when Frech earned herself break points at 4-4, but stood strong and held her serve.
She broke Frech in the following game, picking up her first career win at the Italian Open.
Alex Eala vs Magdalena Frech – Match stats
| Stats | Alex Eala | Magdalena Frech |
| Aces | 0 | 3 |
| Double faults | 4 | 1 |
| First Serve % | 68% | 61% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 56% | 51% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 68% | 59% |
| Break points | 6/12 | 3/9 |
It was far from a perfect performance, but one that showed exactly why Eala has grown so popular.
With the pressure on during the latter stages of the match, Eala kept going for her shots and hit an excellent backhand winner to seal the win.
Her trademark tenacity helped her to a third clay-court win of the season, as she continues to find her footing on what has traditionally been her weakest surface.
Whether she can add a fourth win to her tally when she meets Wang in the second round remains to be seen.