Alex Eala has played her last match before Wimbledon.
Elise Mertens, the world number 26, defeated Eala 6-3, 6-3 in the Bad Homburg Open first round.
Eala has impressed throughout the grass-court swing – despite the loss in Bad Homburg – winning the Birmingham Open and reaching the Berlin Open semi-finals.
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Eala will now seek to secure her first-ever victory at the event after qualifying as a seeded player.
Sam Querrey, a Wimbledon semi-finalist, has been left impressed by one particular aspect of Eala’s demeanour in the lead-up to Wimbledon.
Sam Querrey loves Alex Eala’s post-match reactions
“Do you know one of my favourite things about her is?” Querrey, the former world number nine, asked rhetorically on the Nothing Major Show.
“Every big win she has now, the reaction afterwards, it looks like she almost won the tournament.
“It’s almost like she’s in tears and you feel like she won a match for her entire country.
“My favourite thing is her post-match reactions.”
John Isner, a former champion at the Miami Open, went on to discuss why Eala could be a force at Wimbledon this year.
The grass courts of Wimbledon tend to benefit tall, big-serving individuals – of which Eala is neither.
Alex Eala’s grass-court campaign
- Birmingham Open: defeated Nikola Bartunkova to win the title
- Queen’s: lost in the first round to Iva Jovic
- Berlin Open: lost in the semi-finals to eventual champion Linda Noskova
- Bad Homburg Open: lost in the first round to Elise Mertens
This is because grass is the quickest, lowest-bouncing surface on the professional circuit.
“People think that grass is a big server’s surface,” Isner began. “It is, but sometimes being smaller in stature and being able to move and being a lefty [helps].
“Movement on grass, especially early on, is the biggest key.
“It’s not how big you hit the ball, it’s how well you can move and how you can get out of the corners. She can certainly do that.
“I think she could be someone to look out for at Wimbledon. It would be huge news, just considering how big her following is.”
Isner is absolutely correct. Eala is an excellent mover on the surface; and with her low centre of gravity and strong counter-punching abilities, she could certainly progress far at this year’s Wimbledon event.
Will Alex Eala win her second Grand Slam match?
Eala has already proven that she is at her strongest when playing on grass courts.
However, she is yet to win a main-draw match at Wimbledon.
Last year, Eala looked to be on her way to causing an upset against defending champion Barbora Krejcikova.
Krejcikova, being the champion she is, endeavoured – despite her clear physical issues.
The Czech star eventually secured victory against the young Filipina, winning 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 on Centre Court.
Eala has certainly improved since her last appearance at Wimbledon.
Should she receive a favourable draw, there is no reason why the Eala cannot win at least one round at Wimbledon this year.
Eala will find out her Wimbledon draw when the women’s singles bracket is published on Friday.
