Action is back on the WTA Tour after the US Open, and several big stars are hitting the courts in search of points and wins as the season winds down. The WTA 250 Sao Paulo Open saw its top players in action on Tuesday, with Beatriz Haddad Maia—the top seed—bringing joy to the local crowd. Meanwhile, Alexandra Eala was in a dominant mood, making a strong return to the courts after her title win in Zapopan last week. The Brazilian world No. 27 is the main star of the first edition of the WTA 250 SP Open, a new hardcourt tournament added to the WTA calendar this year. Haddad Maia—the local favorite and the only top-50 player in the draw—comfortably defeated Italian qualifier Miriana Tona. Alexandra Eala had a similar result, dropping just two games against France’s Yasmine Mansouri.
Alexandra Eala blazes through Sao Paulo, delivering a dominant performance
This was Eala’s return to the courts after her title at the Guadalajara Challenger, and she did so with an impressive victory. She faced French qualifier Yasmine Mansouri, giving her no chance throughout the match. The world No. 61 had a nearly perfect first set, saving four break points against her and converting 3 of 6 opportunities to take the set 6-0. Just two days after lifting the title in Guadalajara, the young player traveled 7,800 kilometers (4,900 miles) to deliver a bagel to her opponent.
