Sourced online from the WTA Tour by Tracy Cabrera
The votes are in and Filipina tennis sensation is the Star of the Hard-Court Swing.
The 21-year-old Quezon City lass got an overwhelming 78 percent of the fan vote, thanks to her sterling performance and moreover, to her humble personality and great charisma.
In second place, with 16 percent of the vote, was Elena Rybakina, who had a career-altering hardcourt swing. Just 10 days after injuring her left ankle in Cincinnati, putting her US Open in doubt.
Rybakina arrived in New York as something of an afterthought among top contenders. But Rybakina swiftly proved the doubters wrong, and firmly cemented herself as the best player in the world by winning her first US Open and third career major.
Eala won her first career Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour Mercedes-Benz title during the hardcourt swing that came in Washington, D.C., where she faced a daunting draw.
After beating Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen and defending champion Leylah Fernandez in the first two rounds, she upset Top 10 player Elina Svitolina and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka to reach the final round.
Eala then came from a set down to knock off top seed and former champion Jessica Pegula in the championship match, winning the deciding set 6-0. The victory propelled Eala to Top 20 of the PIF WTA Rankings for the first time. (She’s currently No. 18.)
The country’s pride was also part of one of the best matches of the year at the end of the hardcourt swing–a three hour, three-set loss to Iva Jovic at the US Open.
At the end of the instant classic in Arthur Ashe Stadium, after Jovic fell to the ground in relief and exhaustion, Eala came over to her side of the net to embrace her. It was one of the most memorable moments of the swing, and of the season.
