Eala finally beats Zheng

Alex Eala earned the biggest victory of her professional career on Wednesday morning (Philippine time), rallying from a set down to upset Paris Olympic gold medalist and former world No. 4 Zheng Qinwen of China, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, in the opening round of the WTA 500 Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C.

The victory avenged Eala's heartbreaking three-set loss to Zheng in the semifinals of the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where the Filipina also pushed the Chinese star to the limit before falling short.

Any concerns surrounding Eala's fitness after withdrawing from the doubles competition quickly disappeared as she came out aggressively, firing two aces while holding serve and breaking Zheng early for a 2-0 lead on the Main Stadium court at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center.

Zheng gradually found her rhythm, however, relying on her powerful serve and consistent baseline game to erase the deficit before winning four of the last six games of the opening set to take it, 6-4.

The Chinese star appeared to seize control of the match after breaking Eala for a 4-3 lead in the second set.

Eala responded immediately, breaking back in the next game before winning the final three games of the set to level the match and force a deciding third set.

The momentum completely shifted in the decider.

Eala raced to a commanding 4-0 lead and never allowed Zheng back into the contest, dominating from the baseline before closing out the third set, 6-1, to complete the upset in two hours and 28 minutes.

The victory sends the world No. 28 Filipina into the second round, where she will face defending champion and 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez of Canada.

Fernandez advanced after defeating Poland's Magda Linette, 6-1, 6-4.

The Canadian also owns a recent victory over Eala, having beaten the Filipina in straight sets at the Stuttgart Open last April.