NEW year, same grind.
Alex Eala has flown back to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain to continue her journey after spending the holidays with her family in the Philippines.
And what better way to begin her first professional tournament this year than with a win?
The 15-year-old Filipina finished 6-1, 6-2, dominating Italian foe Anna Paradisi in the opener of the W15 Manacor ITF tournament on Tuesday night (Manila time), where she entered as a Junior Reserve player.
Eala, who is currently ranked third in the ITF World Juniors Rankings, also recorded a 4/4 or 100 percent break points won in her first match of the year.
Her opponent, Paradisi, is also a fellow RNA scholar.
Eala will next face 21-year-old Australian Seone Mendez as she moves to the second round on Thursday.
Watch the full game here:
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