As anticipation builds across the Philippines’ first ever WTA 125 match, Alex Ila regarded to make a gap impression as she raised the flag with a powerful 6-1, 6-2 victory over Alina Charaeva in simply 1 hour and 16 minutes on the Rizal Memorial Sports activities Complicated on Monday evening.
The victory additionally served as redemption for Ila, who misplaced to Charaeva in straight units on the 2020 W15 Melilla Open.
This time, the Filipino teenager was in agency management from the primary ball.
Just like her current appearances on the Australian Open, Ila set the tone early within the first set, main the play from the baseline and breaking Charaeva within the fourth and sixth video games to make it a one-sided opener.
Within the second set, the 163rd-ranked Russian turned even sharper, profitable the primary two video games in a row and briefly shifting momentum when he broke Ila’s serve within the second sport.
Nevertheless, Ila rapidly recovered and reaffirmed her management by blanking Charaeva within the subsequent sport, rapidly responding together with her third break of the match.
Play was halted earlier than the fourth sport when Ila requested a medical timeout resulting from discomfort, briefly disrupting the rhythm of the sport.
As soon as play resumed, the interruption proved to have little impact as Ila raised their stage and held their very own for 5 video games in a row to shut out the competition. That run included a hard-fought fifth sport wherein she broke Charaeva’s serve and successfully determined the match.
By the tip, Ila had damaged serve 5 occasions and gained an astonishing 77% on first serves and 61% on second serves, underscoring his management at key factors.
Within the subsequent two rounds, Ira will face the winner of the All Japan match between Nao Hibino and Himeno Sakazume.
