House-like crowd fuels Alex Eala’s thrilling comeback win over Vekic 

‘If there’s one factor I realized in 2025, it’s that house is the individuals and never the place,’ says Alex Eala as Filipino followers in New Zealand pumped up her comeback win in opposition to a adorned foe

MANILA, Philippines – As ordinary, chants of “Alex” echoed by the stands as Filipino tennis star Alex Eala confronted the group, contemporary off a stirring spherical of 32 comeback win over Donna Vekic of Croatia, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, on the WTA ASB Traditional in New Zealand on Tuesday, January 6.

Carried by the group by almost three grueling hours, Eala pulled by to clinch a spot within the spherical of 16 in an Auckland victory that made her really feel like house.

“It’s so particular,” Eala mentioned of the various Filipinos who watched the match, which was initially scheduled within the morning however was moved to be the day’s finale. “If there’s one factor I realized in 2025, it’s that house is the individuals and never the place.”

Eala shrugged off a gradual begin, which noticed her battle with excessive balls, after beginning 3-0 within the opener. Vekic then capitalized on the Filipino’s errors late to seize an early lead. 

The 20-year-old Eala then dismissed Vekic’s runs from there, holding off the 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist within the latter phases of the second set to power a decider.

The Filipino eked out the victory in thrilling style within the third set as Eala wrapped up the win, breaking serve a number of occasions and beautiful Vekic, who has been on a stoop in her previous tournaments. 

“She is such an skilled participant and tremendous gifted, and actually very adorned,” Eala mentioned. 

Eala acknowledged the early struggles however relished pushing previous them in opposition to a battle-tested opponent like Vekic, who’s presently ranked No. 69 after peaking at No. 17 on this planet rankings. 

“I actually had a troublesome time at this time,” she mentioned. “However I’m so pleased to have the ability to present up in a stage like this, particularly after such a troublesome preseason and all of the so many issues that occurred over the past month.”

The win got here after Eala opened her ladies’s doubles marketing campaign alongside 18-year-old companion Iva Jovic with an enormous overcome legends Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina to advance to the spherical of 16.  

Eala will face fellow 20-year-old Petra Marčinko, a former world No. 1 junior, within the subsequent spherical. 

Marčinko can be coming off a formidable three-set win in opposition to Colombia’s Camille Osorio, a former world No. 33 participant. 

The match serves as a prelude to the Australian Open, the place Eala will compete in the principle draw for the primary time in her profession. – Rappler.com