Alex Eala advanced to the third round of the Italian Open after defeating China’s Xinyu Wang 6-4, 6-3 at the Foro Italico Sports Complex in Rome.
The 20-year-old Filipina world No. 42 showed strong composure, overcoming early deficits in both sets to defeat the higher-ranked Wang, who is ranked No. 33, in 86 minutes.
The victory secured Eala a spot in the Round of 32 and guaranteed her a prize of $53,894 (about P3.2 million).
She will next face either world No. 2 Elena Rybakina or Greece’s Maria Sakkari for a place in the Round of 16 of the WTA 1000 event.
The win also marked a strong comeback after early exits in her previous clay-court tournaments this season.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 9, 2026
EALA MOVES INTO THIRD ROUND IN ITALIAN OPEN CAMPAIGN
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