Big test awaits Alex in US Open debut

Sports

ALEX Eala will be tested right away when she makes her debut in the US Open women’s main draw at the USTA Billie Jean Tennis Center in Queens, New York on Monday (Philippine time), August 25.

The Filipina tennis ace will be taking on the highly touted Clara Tauson, the Danish star who is currently ranked No. 15 in the world.

Tauson made a name for herself when she won three Women’s Tennis Association titles at age 22. She recently reached the semifinal of the Canadian Open after stunning second seed Iga Swiatek of Poland in the Round of 16 and former Grand Slam champion Madison Keys in the quarterfinal.

Tauson couldn’t make it all the way when she lost to Naomi Osaka in the semifinal.

The 20-year-old Eala, on the other hand, will come into the tournament ranked No. 70 in the world, falling several notches after missing the Cincinnati Open and Monterrey Open due to a shoulder injury.

Eala went as high as No. 56 before enduring the significant drop. She was able to qualify to the main draw of US Open after making it to the top 75 big thanks to her stellar run in the Miami Open last March.

Eala last saw action in the Round of 128 of the National Bank Open last month where she lost to Marketa Vondrousova, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.

The US Open will be Eala's third Grand Slam appearance this year after also seeing action in the French Open and Wimbledon.

The Eala-Tauson match is estimated to start at 12:40 a.m.(CCM)