Eala’s pace, slice serve seen as keys in potential clash vs Serena Williams

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino ace Alexandra "Alex" Eala and women's tennis GOAT (greatest of all time), the returning American Serena Williams are on track for a second-round collision at the Wimbledon Championships slated from June 29 to July 12.

Should Eala defeat Mexican Renata Zarazua and Williams handle Aussie Maya Joint in the first round on June 30, the dream match will likely be forged on July 2.

If realized, how will Eala fare against the 23-time major champ Williams?

In the latest Tennis Channel TC Live episode on Saturday, analyst and former world No. 1 Tracy Austin said she thinks the 21-year-old Eala could challenge the 44-year-old Williams with her ability to play the angles well, and that slice serve which is an advantage for a lefty like her against a right-handed Williams.

From the deuce side (serving from the right side), a lefty's slice serve naturally pulls right-handed receivers to their backhand (left) side as the ball moves to the left after the bounce, while the slice serve from the ad side (serving from the left) curves the ball toward the receiver's body.

Eala isn't known as a big server but slices from a lefty like her cause a weaker or awkward return which she could capitalize.

Austin, a 2-time US Open champ, added that Eala's slice serve played a key role in her upset of world No. 2 Elena Rybakina and No. 8 Elina Svitolina at the Berlin Open over a week ago.

"I would suspect it's going to be Alexandra Eala, the lefty from the Philippines who just won a 125 on grass so she got 12 matches under her belt this season, she also beat Rybakina, Svitolina just a couple of weeks ago," said Austin.

"I think that's gonna be challenging because Eala is very good with the angles. Eala has a little slice on her serve so it helped her beat Rybakina and Svitolina."

Paul Annacone, former coach of 20-time major champ Roger Federer, said Eala's pace control will be her advantage.

"For Serena that second round against Eala, the one chance she has is Eala's weakest shot is her serve," said Annacone.

"So, if she's serving great and taking the first serve return and ripping, that's her only chance because once the ball's in play, Eala's very good, she handles pace well and she will test the movement of Serena."

Eala is currently 9-3 this grass season with a 125 Birmingham title three weeks ago and a semis run highlighted by upsets of Rybakina and Svitolina more than week ago at the 500 Berlin Open.

Despite being four years away from the Tour, the 7-time Wimbledon champ Williams is still dangerous.

"Serena knows exactly what to do. The serve, she still looks amazing. She's going to serve that way when she's 60, she's now 44," said Austin.

"And the return, her timing looks good so she'll come in, throw in once in a while a backhand slice but her game is all about forward and first strike tennis. She's gonna be feeling the nerves, too, the first two gonna be interesting."

Annacone added:

"It will be interesting. Most people wouldn't be able to handle a 4-year break, I think Serena will be able to. We'll see, though."

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