Filipino Eala and Russian Selekhmeteva championed the finals for the French Open Girls Doubles on Philippines’ Independence Day June 12, 2021, Saturday night.
Philippines’ Alex Eala and her Russian teammate Oksana Selekhmeteva won against Hungary’s Klara Toth and Russia’s Maria Bondarenko, 6-0, 7-5, right on their final face-off.
💪🏼 Alex Eala 🇵🇭 has qualified to play another Grand Slam semifinals! After today’s victory the #RNAPlayer and her partner Oxana Selekhmeteva will fight to get into the doubles final of #RolandGarros Junior! VAMOS‼️ MABUHAY‼️ pic.twitter.com/kU0jOOq5CM
— Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar (@rnadalacademy) June 10, 2021
Eala and Selekhmeteva practically acquired the first set and then saw their opponents rose and taking a 4-2 lead. However, it did not take long before the tandem found their pulse again. As a result, they pulled off volley smash and got out of the tough bind.
The set ended when Eala gave a vital service while Selekhmeteva hits the championship point by the net.
💪🏼 Alex Eala 🇵🇭 has qualified to play another Grand Slam semifinals! After today’s victory the #RNAPlayer and her partner Oxana Selekhmeteva will fight to get into the doubles final of #RolandGarros Junior! VAMOS‼️ MABUHAY‼️ pic.twitter.com/kU0jOOq5CM
— Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar (@rnadalacademy) June 10, 2021
What’s Eala’s message to her fellow Filipinos?
“Sa lahat ng Pinoy na nanood, maraming salamat sa suporta.”
(To every Filipinos watching, thank you so much for the support).
How fitting it is that the Philippines’ was celebrating the 123rd Independence Day on the exact day they won?
“It’s actually Independence Day today, so I hope that I made my contribution to the country,” Eala said after the match.
Yes Alex you made us proud! pic.twitter.com/uZ02iNl83M
— Noli Eala (@NoliEala) June 12, 2021
Maturity as teammates
The teammate’s maturity shows since their partnership that started last month. The fact that they advanced to the W25 Platja D’Aro finals in Spain signifies the growth and synergy between the two.
They met the defending champions Italy’s Lisa Pigato and Eleonora Alvis and dethroned the duo with 6-2, 6-1 that pushed them up to the finals.
The 16-year-old Eala claimed her second Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open girls doubles last year.