Alex Eala credits consistent crowd support to ‘being Filipino’

WASHINGTON—Once more, as always, the crowd came out to rally behind Alex Eala.

The unwavering support of Filipino fans again matched the young star’s growing global profile as she fought back to oust China’s Zheng Qinwen, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, to reach the second round of the Mubadala Citi DC Open on Tuesday.

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Fresh off a breakthrough Wimbledon campaign in which she became the first Filipino to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles event, Eala played before another lively crowd that loudly backed the 21-year-old ace throughout her two-hour, 26-minute victory.

Rather than focus on her own rising popularity, Eala credited the Filipino community in the US capital for creating the atmosphere that carried her through a demanding match.

“I think the question should be rephrased—it’s what it’s like to be Filipino,” Eala said when asked about receiving support from fans around the world.

“I think the community here in DC is amazing. I think there was a great atmosphere for both players and I’m really happy with my win today,” she later added in an interview with a Filipino journalist. “Of course, the atmosphere is great. It makes it so fun to be out on court and very competitive.”

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Eala recovered after dropping the opening set, steadily raising her level against the higher-ranked Zheng before taking control in the decider.

“I think I just focused point by point,” Eala said. “I was trying to keep the intensity in every point that I had and try not to give her too many free points. I think intensity is really key in these types of matches when you’re playing players of her caliber.”

The victory sent Eala into a second-round meeting with defending champion and seventh seed Leylah Fernandez at press time, with a quarterfinal berth at stake.

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Eala was playing an opponent who shares her Filipino roots, as the Canadian standout’s mother is also from the Philippines.

“I think it’s going to be a very tough match for me; Leila is such an amazing player and an amazing person as well,” Eala said before she took the court against Fernandez.

Elsewhere in the tournament, second seed Ben Shelton survived a rain-interrupted battle to defeat fellow American Martin Damm, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, in his opening match.

“Happy that I was mentally stable and tough enough to get through that match,” Shelton said after advancing to face France’s Ugo Humbert.

Australian teenager Cruz Hewitt, the 17-year-old son of former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, celebrated his first ATP Tour main-draw victory by defeating American qualifier Marcos Giron, 6-3, 6-4. *—REPORTS FROM AFP AND INQUIRER SPORTS DESK *