Forty-seven minutes were all it took for Alex Eala to show who’s the boss in her first-round clash with Israeli bet Shavit Kimchi in the Templeton Tennis Race yesterday in California.
Eala easily disposed of Kimchi in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0, in a bid to capture her third professional singles crown.
It was a bounce back for the 17-year-old Ella, who is fresh from winning the US Open girls singles title a few weeks ago.
A day before competing in the singles, Eala and French doubles partnerAlice Robbe were beaten by the American duo of Madison Brengle and Whitney Osuigwe, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
Eala’s next opponent is seventh seed Katarzyna Kawa of Poland.
Kawa outlasted Renata Zarazua of Mexico, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in a separate matchup to face Eala in the second round.
Eala, ranked No. 291 in the Women’s Tennis Association rankings, faces a tough foe in world No. 163 Kawa.
The Rafael Nadal Academy scholar is looking to break into the Top 200 of the WTA rankings after a couple of tournaments in California.
After the W60 Templeton, Eala is slated to compete in the W80 Rancho Santa Fe on 3 October before flying back to Spain.
In her blog, Eala said her focus is in her current tournament, saying that while her US Open conquest was a major feat, it is high time that she zeroes in on what’s ahead.
“All that said, while my victory at the US Open is one of the most special moments of my career, I must recognize that it is in the past and I now need to continue working towards my bigger goals,” Eala said.
