Alex Eala has explained that movement was crucial to defeating Magda Linette at the Miami Open.
Eala defeated Linette in straight sets in their round of 32 match, winning 6-3, 7-6(7-2) after one hour and 48 minutes.
Linette had only just knocked out fellow Pole Iga Swiatek in the previous round, but failed to repeat such heroics against Eala.
The Filipina superstar has now shared insight into the victory, which has set up a Miami Open round of 16 tie with Karolina Muchova.
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Alex Eala says movement was key to latest Miami Open win
When asked what she had to adjust to hold off Linette in straight sets, Eala told Tennis Channel: “I think I just had to move, move as much as I could because she was I think being a bit more aggressive.
“She definitely changed some things. I need to clarify what those things are when I watch the match again.
“But yeah, I think I was solid, I fought and yeah, I was happy.”
After losing their first two meetings on the WTA Tour, Eala has now levelled her head-to-head with Linette to 2-2.
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Alex Eala reacts to superb serving display vs Magda Linette
Another crucial aspect of the win was Eala’s service, which she also discussed after the match in Miami.
When asked what things are happening when she’s having a good serving day, she replied: “I think today was a good percentage day.
“A lot of first serves. I was trying a lot of first serves.
“Yeah I think it gave me the freedom to kind of go more for certain shots knowing that it was more solid today.
“Yeah, so that’s what I think happened.”
Her efforts were epitomised by fantastic figures of 71.8% of first serve points won and 76% of second serve points won.
| Alex Eala | Magda Linette | |
| 1 | Aces | 1 |
| 2 | Double faults | 2 |
| 60.9% 39/64 | 1st serve | 56.1% 37/66 |
| 71.8% 28/39 | 1st serve points won | 73% 27/37 |
| 76% 19/25 | 2nd serve points won | 51.7% 15/29 |
| 2 | Break points faced | 5 |
| 50% 1/2 | Break points saved | 60% 3/5 |
| 11 | Service games played | 10 |
Eala will now be keen to replicate those efforts against Muchova, who she has yet to play against on the WTA Tour.
The Czech star is the 13th seed at the Miami Open, where she has already knocked out Camila Osorio and Katie Boulter.
Meanwhile, Filipina icon Eala is the 31st seed at the WTA 1000 tournament, where she has also beaten Laura Siegemund.
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