Filipina tennis star Alex Eala overcame a bad start to take down Argentinian netter Paula Ormaechea, 7-5, 6-2, in the first round of the Women’s Tennis Association Cluj-Napoca Winners Open in Romania on Tuesday night.

The 16-year-old star quickly found herself in trouble against the no. 209 ranked player in the WTA rankings as she trailed, 0-4, in the first set. However, Eala regained her bearings and won seven of the next eight games to pocket the first set, 7-5.

The second set was all Eala as she surged ahead, 5-1, before finishing the set, 6-2, and claiming the win in just one hour and 35 minutes. The win also made Eala the very first Filipina to compete and emerge victorious in a WTA main draw competition.

Eala, who is ranked no. 639 in the WTA ladder, could not hide her excitement at winning her first match in the WTA 250 Tournament.

“So happy to have won my debut match at a WTA 250 Tournament,” wrote Eala on her Facebook page.

Up next for Eala is Mayar Sherif of Egypt, who is the no. 119 ranked player in the WTA. (JNP)