Alexandra Eala has advanced to the second round of the Abu Dhabi Open after defeating Zeynep Sonmez in straight sets.
After squandering her chance to serve for the first set, Eala broke Sonmez’s serve to take an early 6-4 advantage in the match.
In the second set, multiple breaks of serve were exchanged before Eala closed out the contest 6-3.
Does anybody else even come close to Alex Eala’s popularity right now?
Ahead of the contest, Sonmez expressed her love for Eala, with the pair recognised as being close friends on the WTA Tour.
And following Eala’s victory, the Filipino star described how tough it was to play Sonmez, whom she described as one of her ‘closest friends.’
Alexandra Eala reacts to playing ‘close friend’ Zeynep Sonmez
Speaking to Monica Puig during the on-court interview, Eala said: “Before I address the amazing crowd, I just want to say I’m so honoured to share the court with one of my closest friends Zeynep [pictured below].
“I admire her so much and she’s really making waves in many ways and our friendship goes beyond tennis so I’m so grateful for that.”
When asked about how tough it was to play someone she is very close with, Eala added: “It’s definitely something you have to get used to over time as a professional.
“It’s harder in the juniors, but as you become a professional you learn to disassociate, and in the end we both want the best for each other.
“But we know when we’re on court we’re going to do our best, both of us, to do what we can.”
This victory was Eala’s third in three attempts against Sonmez, following on from previous triumphs in Nantes and Eastbourne.
Eala has a tough draw in Abu Dhabi, but her path has been made potentially simpler following Aliaksandra Sasnovich’s recent win. Sasnovich, ranked 109 on the WTA Tour, stunned Paula Badosa in her opening match and will now face Eala in the second round.
Alex Eala pinpoints the ‘key’ to her victory against Sonmez
Eala went on to analyse the contest, reflecting on the similarities she and Sonmez share in their gamestyles.
“There are some similarities in our games that definitely showed in the rallies,” Eala said.
“She’s a very solid player so I think being very focused on every point was the key to winning this match.”
If Eala defeats Sasnovich in the second round, she will face Ekaterina Alexandrova or Dayana Yastremska in the quarter-finals.
How high do you think Alexandra Eala’s ceiling is?
If the Filipina can advance to the semi-finals, she will play Janice Tjen, Hailey Baptiste, Emma Navarro or Liudmila Samsonova.
