Eala sees 'new era for Filipino sport' after first Grand Slam match win
PARIS: Alexandra Eala on Tuesday achieved a first Grand Slam match win for a Filipino woman, saying she hoped her doubles success at the French Open was part of "a new era for sport" in her country.
She teamed up with Mexico's Renata Zarazua to defeat Britain's Emily Appleton and Spain's Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers 7-5, 6-4 and book a place in the second round.
The win came two days after the 20-year-old, the first woman from her country to compete in a Grand Slam, was eliminated in the first round of the singles by Emiliana Arango of Colombia 6-0, 2-6, 6-3.
"It's so heartwarming," Eala told AFP of her Grand Slam match win.
"Of course, it's always good to come back and compete well after a singles loss, especially after a tight one.
"I'm feeling good, it's my debut in Grand Slam doubles so I'm feeling happy to be playing with Renata and to have my first Slam win.
"Of course, it was a difficult (singles) loss but in the end I think there's things to take away and I try to do better in the doubles."
The support from home has been "positive", she said.
"They're happy to see a Filipino competing in the main draw in Paris."
Eala is part of a new generation of Filipino sports stars. She has trained since the age of 13 at Rafael Nadal's academy in Mallorca, Spain.
She lifted the 2022 US Open girls' singles trophy and reached the semi-finals at Miami in March when, ranked 140th in the world, she beat three Grand Slam winners in Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and world number two Iga Swiatek.
"I think we're entering a new era for Filipino sport," the 73rd-ranked player said, pointing to the success of gymnast Carlos Yulo who took two gold medals at the Paris Olympics last year.
"Filipinos are very talented and very hard workers. There's a support, a community, because it's not often you (have) seen Filipino athletes excel on the international stage, so every time someone does good we're very happy for them. --AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Alcaraz Defends French Open Title Against In-Form Jannik Sinner
CARLOS ALCARAZ bids to defend his French Open title against Jannik Sinner as the two stars of a new generation face off in a Grand Slam final for the first time on Sunday. The 22-year-old Alcaraz and Sinner, 23, have together scooped up the last five majors to usher in a new era in men's tennis after two decades defined by the dominance of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz hopes to become the third man this century to retain the Coupe des Mousquetaires after Gustavo Kuerten and Nadal. Sinner is chasing his third successive Grand Slam triumph after winning last year's US Open and retaining his Australian Open crown in January. The world number one has lost just seven matches since the start of 2024 but four of those defeats have come against Alcaraz, including a five-set reverse in last year's Roland Garros semi-finals. Alcaraz holds a 7-4 head-to-head edge over Sinner, winning the Italian Open final in Rome three weeks ago as the latter made his return to competition after a three-month doping ban. The Spaniard warned after that final that Sinner would be an even greater threat in Paris with more matches under his belt, and so it has proved with the Italian yet to drop a set at the French Open. 'He's the best tennis player right now,' said Alcaraz. 'I mean, he's destroying every opponent.' Alcaraz is battle-tested having won just two of his six matches in straight sets but had a shorter outing in the semifinals than perhaps anticipated after Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire. Second seed Alcaraz has little doubt that Sunday's showpiece will be one to remember. 'It's going to be a really great Sunday for fans of tennis,' said Alcaraz, who knows he will need to be at his best to deny Sinner a maiden French Open trophy. 'I love that battle. But most of the time is just about suffering, because (he pushes) you to the limit.' Sinner is 18-1 this year and has picked up where he left off in Melbourne after a doping controversy which forced him off the courts for the Sunshine Swing in the US and the start of the clay-court season. He twice tested positive for traces of the banned anabolic steroid clostebol in March last year, a contamination doping authorities accepted was accidental. Sinner has always maintained the product entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who had used a spray containing it to treat a cut. He has looked in prime form in Paris, extending his winning streak in majors to 20 matches to reach a first Roland Garros final. Adriano Panatta was the last Italian man to win the French Open in 1976. Sinner dashed Djokovic's hopes of a record-setting 25th Grand Slam on Friday with a fourth straight win over the 38-year-old Serbian, who admitted the loss may have been his final French Open match. With the last remaining member of the old guard out of the picture, the stage is set for Alcaraz and Sinner to embark on the biggest clash so far in their already gripping rivalry. Both are unbeaten in Grand Slam finals, but that will change come Sunday. 'The stage, it doesn't get any bigger now. Grand Slam finals against Carlos, it's a special moment for me and for him, too,' said Sinner. 'The tension you feel before the match and during the match is a little bit different in a way, because we are both very young, we are both different, but talented.' Comparisons have already been made between the sport's new rivalry and those shared by the big three of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, but Sinner said it was too early for such talk. 'It takes time to compare us with the big three,' said Sinner. 'I believe that tennis or every sport needs rivalries, no? This could be potentially one of these, but there are amazing players coming up.' – AFP
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Alcaraz puts French Open title on line against scorching Sinner
CARLOS ALCARAZ bids to defend his French Open title against Jannik Sinner as the two stars of a new generation face off in a Grand Slam final for the first time on Sunday. The 22-year-old Alcaraz and Sinner, 23, have together scooped up the last five majors to usher in a new era in men's tennis after two decades defined by the dominance of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz hopes to become the third man this century to retain the Coupe des Mousquetaires after Gustavo Kuerten and Nadal. Sinner is chasing his third successive Grand Slam triumph after winning last year's US Open and retaining his Australian Open crown in January. The world number one has lost just seven matches since the start of 2024 but four of those defeats have come against Alcaraz, including a five-set reverse in last year's Roland Garros semi-finals. Alcaraz holds a 7-4 head-to-head edge over Sinner, winning the Italian Open final in Rome three weeks ago as the latter made his return to competition after a three-month doping ban. The Spaniard warned after that final that Sinner would be an even greater threat in Paris with more matches under his belt, and so it has proved with the Italian yet to drop a set at the French Open. 'He's the best tennis player right now,' said Alcaraz. 'I mean, he's destroying every opponent.' Alcaraz is battle-tested having won just two of his six matches in straight sets but had a shorter outing in the semifinals than perhaps anticipated after Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire. Second seed Alcaraz has little doubt that Sunday's showpiece will be one to remember. 'It's going to be a really great Sunday for fans of tennis,' said Alcaraz, who knows he will need to be at his best to deny Sinner a maiden French Open trophy. 'I love that battle. But most of the time is just about suffering, because (he pushes) you to the limit.' Sinner is 18-1 this year and has picked up where he left off in Melbourne after a doping controversy which forced him off the courts for the Sunshine Swing in the US and the start of the clay-court season. He twice tested positive for traces of the banned anabolic steroid clostebol in March last year, a contamination doping authorities accepted was accidental. Sinner has always maintained the product entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who had used a spray containing it to treat a cut. He has looked in prime form in Paris, extending his winning streak in majors to 20 matches to reach a first Roland Garros final. Adriano Panatta was the last Italian man to win the French Open in 1976. Sinner dashed Djokovic's hopes of a record-setting 25th Grand Slam on Friday with a fourth straight win over the 38-year-old Serbian, who admitted the loss may have been his final French Open match. With the last remaining member of the old guard out of the picture, the stage is set for Alcaraz and Sinner to embark on the biggest clash so far in their already gripping rivalry. Both are unbeaten in Grand Slam finals, but that will change come Sunday. 'The stage, it doesn't get any bigger now. Grand Slam finals against Carlos, it's a special moment for me and for him, too,' said Sinner. 'The tension you feel before the match and during the match is a little bit different in a way, because we are both very young, we are both different, but talented.' Comparisons have already been made between the sport's new rivalry and those shared by the big three of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, but Sinner said it was too early for such talk. 'It takes time to compare us with the big three,' said Sinner. 'I believe that tennis or every sport needs rivalries, no? This could be potentially one of these, but there are amazing players coming up.' – AFP
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Cristiano Ronaldo rules himself out of Club World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed he would not play in the upcoming Club World Cup on Saturday, dismissing rumours he was set to transfer to one of the participating clubs. Speaking ahead of Sunday's Nations League final against Spain in Munich, the Portugal captain said suggestions he was set to take part in the newly expanded competition were wide of the mark. 'I will not be at the Club World Cup,' the Portugal veteran said, but added he had 'been contacted' by several participating teams. Ronaldo came into Nations League in Germany amid swirling doubts about his future at club level, with the veteran's contract at Saudi side Al-Nassr set to expire at the end of June. In May, the Portuguese posted on social media 'the chapter is over' as reports emerged he could switch to another club, potentially Saudi side Al Hilal, one of the teams who will be at the tournament in the United States in June. Ronaldo said he was not interested in making a short-term decision which would allow him to play in the competition. 'Some teams reached out to me. Some made sense and others did not, but you can't try and do everything, you can't catch every ball.' The forward said the decision on his future was 'almost final'. – AFP
