US Open girls champion Alex Eala finally got back at her two-time tormentor when they met yesterday in the W80 Poitiers women’s singles at the Comite Department De Tennis in France.
Eala needed three sets to oust Jessika Ponchet of France, 6-2, 5-7, 7-6, in the round of 32 in a match that lasted two hours and 30 minutes.
It was a sweet victory for the 17-year-old Eala, who had been unsuccessful against the Frenchwoman when they crossed paths in the W25+H Palma del Rio and W60 Vitoria-Gasteiz, both held in Spain, last July.
Ranked 248 in the world, Eala’s recent win came against somebody who is rated No. 152.
“COME ON!!! 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (g),” Eala posted on her social media page.
The tournament offers a total prize of $80,000 with Eala expected to encounter stiffer resistance in the Round of 16.
Gaining access to the W80 Poitiers main draw was never easy.
Eala had to beat Astrid Cirotte of France in the first qualifying match last Sunday, 6-1. 6-2, and downing another hometown entry in Diana Martrynov, 6-1, 6-2, the following day.
Up next for the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy product is a clash with the winner of the encounter between Marine Partaud and Vitalia Viachenko.
Eala is also entered in doubles play and she joined hands with Petra Marcinko of Croatia in dealing the Belarusian duo of Irina Shymanovich and Yulia Hatouka for a berth in the Round of 16.
Eala and Marcinko are facing the Czech Republic tandem of Miriam Kolodiejova and Marketa Vondrousova at press time.
