ALEXANDRA Eala continued her impressive US Open campaign by defeating Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine, 6-1, 6-4, in the second round on Thursday (Friday in the Philippines) at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.
The No. 17 seed dominated from the opening set, dropping just one game before maintaining control in the second to secure another straight-sets victory.
Eala was particularly effective on serve, winning 75% of her first-serve points and 73% behind her second serve. She converted five of seven break-point opportunities while limiting Oliynykova to two successful breaks in five chances.
The Filipina also won 59 points to Oliynykova’s 35 and took 12 of the match’s 17 games. She won seven of her eight service games and put together a four-game winning streak during the match.
Eala struck two aces and committed just one double fault, while Oliynykova had one ace and three double faults.
The victory sends Eala into the next round of the US Open, extending her run at Flushing Meadows after she opened the tournament with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over American qualifier Mary Stoiana.
Eala entered the US Open as the No. 17 seed following a breakthrough season that has seen her win her first WTA title and break into the world’s top 20.
She will next face either American Iva Jovic or Francesca Jones of Great Britain as she looks to continue her deepest run yet at the year’s final Grand Slam. (Adrian Co)
