The Filipino fans who packed the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York City went home happy on Tuesday night, as Alex Eala delivered a winning performance in the first round of the US Open.
Eala produced a confident display of tennis in a 6-1, 6-2 win over American qualifier Mary Stoiana at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York, battling through some tense moments to progress to the second round.
READ: Alex Eala powers past Stoiana, advances to US Open second round
Throughout the one-hour, 18-minute showdown, she was cheered on by a capacity crowd at the venue — several of whom waved Philippine flags and carried posters with messages of support. At least one had a bobblehead of Eala as a baby, which the player gamely autographed when the match was over.
"They're very creative," Eala said of her fans. "The fans are very creative, and I love to see it… I thought it was super cute and they just made my day."
It was only the latest example of the kind of support that Eala enjoys from her "barangay" — a phenomenon that grew in strength when she won her first WTA Tour crown in Washington DC, reached new heights in Toronto, and has now made its way to New York City.
READ: A year after breakthrough, Alex Eala returns to US Open as one of tennis' brightest stars
Even before the US Open started, fans flocked to Eala's events — be it an official meet-and-greet with her sponsors or her practice sessions. Each time, the 21-year-old made sure to express her appreciation, and she did the same after her win over Stoiana.
"I want to thank the community here in New York, the tennis fans, not just from the Philippines, but who have been making me feel so loved and who are so enthusiastic and contributing to the growth of women's tennis," she said.
"So thank you everybody for being part of my journey and making it such a pleasure to do my job," she added.
Eala, who has been praised for her composure and poise amid her skyrocketing fame, was still awed by the support of "Barangay New York" — a crowd that included former basketball player JC Intal and a pair of men clad in Barong Tagalog.
"It just doesn't get old," said Eala. "They do still surprise, they do."
Up next for Eala is Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova in the second round, and while her schedule has yet to be released, there's no doubt that she will again be backed by a raucous crowd when she plays.
It's a reality that the Filipina star embraces but makes sure not to take for granted.
"It's an amazing time for me to look ahead and see my whole career ahead of me, and see the people that I go through it with, and share the blessings with them," Eala said. "I'm really, really grateful to be here."