Alex Eala of the Philippines pulled off an upset towards world no. 14 Clara Tauson of Denmark, 6-3, 2-6, 7(13)-6(11), early Monday (Philippine time) in her principal draw debut on the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York.
In entrance of a rowdy crowd of almost 8,000 folks, Eala made historical past by successful her first Grand Slam principal draw match, changing into the primary Filipino participant ever to take action.
Down 5-1 within the third set, Eala regrouped and confirmed her willpower by successful 5 straight video games to take a 6-5 lead. Tauson, nonetheless, recovered and compelled a tiebreak.
Within the tiebreak, Eala held an early 8-4 lead earlier than the Danish participant scored 4 straight factors. The 2 went neck and neck, however in the long run, the momentum and the group helped Eala clinch the win.
Earlier within the match, Eala pulled forward after trailing 2-1 within the first set, successful three consecutive video games earlier than Tauson ended the streak. The world no. 75, nonetheless, regained momentum and closed out the set.
The second set, nonetheless, favored the Danish participant, who took an early 3-1 lead earlier than Eala received one other sport. Tauson then displayed her composure and secured the set to power a decider.
“She’s an enormous participant, she’s an excellent participant and positively not a simple draw within the first spherical,” Eala admitted.
Nonetheless, the Filipino participant mentioned this was a really particular match for her.
“To have the ability to have this neighborhood on the US Open, I am so grateful that they made me really feel like I am at residence,” she mentioned.
Eala will face the winner of the match between Spain’s Cristina Bucsa and American Claire Liu within the subsequent spherical.
—JKC, GMA Built-in Information
