Eala fades unexpectedly, inexplicably, in Strasbourg

By Al Mendoza

ALEX gave it her all, including almost throwing the proverbial kitchen sink.  Still, it was not enough.

 Oleksandra Oliynykova was simply a nut too tough to crack, so to speak, in this first round for both on Monday, May 18 PH time, in the Strasbourg Open in France.

 And to think that Oliynykova was ranked a lowly 66th to the 29th seed Eala.  And a mere qualifier at that while Alex advanced in place of the withdrawing Hailey Baptiste of the United States.

 But as in many cases, rankings do not matter much when action begins.

 It is the reality of the moment that usually defines the direction, outcome, of almost every contest.

Thus, after so much tenacity surrounding the almost three-hour match, Oliynykova would prevail with unbridled gallantry, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

 There was so much drama and there was no certainty as to who would advance to the next round

 The first set alone foretold of things to come.

 After Oliynykova forged a 3-3 tie on her serve, Eala snatched a 4-3 lead after saving five break points.

 Fired up a bit, Eala would break Oliynykova next and then held serve on her third set point for the 6-3 win in the first set lasting 57 minutes.

 And then, while it seemed like Eala was out to go for the kill in the second set, Oliynykova recoiled like a cobra, racing to a 4-0 lead against the suddenly bewildered Eala.

 Again, Eala showed her poise and improving maturity by winning five of the next six games for a 5-all tie—in the process breaking Oliynykova three times.

 But just when Eala was set to deliver the coup d grace, OIiynykova would hold serve for a 6-5 lead as Eala succumbed to four ghastly unforced errors.

 The 25-year-old Oliynykova, from Kiev, Ukraine, would next break the obviously disappointed Eala for a 7-5 win to extend the match to a deciding third set.

Eala would collar a 3-2 lead, winning game four after nine taxing deuces and saving six unbelievable break points.

And then what followed next was a scene more bizarre than the 9/11 downing of New York’s Twin Towers.

While Oliynykova rose to the occasion on a quick break-back for a 3-3 deadlock, Eala unbelievably collapsed like a condemned edifice.

 Seemingly getting her second wind, Oliynykova bamboozled the fast-fading Eala, winning the last three games with improbable shots—from lobs to drop shots and a variety of winners—for a 6-3 win en route to clinching the match.

 Oliynykova said the win was an answered prayer.

 “My father is arriving tomorrow from Ukraine where he is a soldier on the frontline for two years now in our war against Russia,” said Oliynykova.  “He requested for a break as he wants to see me play here.”

 That should ease some pain on Eala’s heart? 

THAT’S IT   Alex Eala will next play in the French Open, the year’s second major, at Roland Garros in Paris set from May 24 to June 7.  She turns 21 on May 23…San Antonio survived Oklahoma City yesterday, 122-115, after two overtimes in Game 1 of the NBA’s Western Conference Finals.  Wembanyama sent the game into second overtime with a three, finishing with 41 points and 24 rebounds, while teammate Dylan Harper had 24 points, 11 rebounds and 7 steals.  Rookie Dylan is the son of the great Ron Harper of the Los Angeles Lakers. Game 2 is in Oklahoma on May 21 before the best-of-seven series goes to San Antonio, Texas, for Games 3 & 4 on Saturday and Monday, respectively.

  After Alex won the first set with a lot of spunk, 6-3, the 20-year-old Filipina sensation, who turns 21 on May 23, appeared set to wrap up the match in two sets.