Alex Eala breaks through in US Open juniors

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala kept the momentum of her 6-3, 7-5 victory over American Kimmi Hance Friday, overpowering top seed Romana Cisovska of Slovakia, 6-3, 6-0, to barge into the main draw of the US Open juniors girls’ singles at the Cary Leeds Match Court 1 in New York Saturday.

The left-handed rising Filipina star overcame another service woes by dominating the break and receiving points, ending up with 66 total points won against Cisovska’s 42.

Eala will face Aussie Annerly Poulos at the start of the 64-player main draw Sunday.

The unranked Eala made five double faults, three more than her rival but more than made up for the struggle by posting a 46 percent clip on break points won (6 of 13) and 58 percent on receiving points (36 of 62).

Cisovska, who beat American Jenna DeFalco, 7-5, 6-3, in the first of the two-day qualifier, had two double faults but struggled with just 33 percent on break points won (1 of 3) and 35 percent on receiving points won (16 of 46).

Jeson Patrombon was the last Filipino to play in a Grand Slam event, reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open boys’ singles for a career high ranking of No. 9 in 2011.