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Analysts Call for Serve Overhaul as Alexandra Eala Heads to Linz Open

The 20-year-old enters the event after a 16-place ranking drop in Miami.

Overview

  • Her fourth-round loss to Karolina Muchova in Miami triggered a 16-place fall to No. 45 because she was defending big points from last year.
  • Former pros Andrea Petkovic and Alison Riske-Amritraj said on the Big T Podcast that Eala’s serve is the main barrier, citing shaky first-serve rates and an attackable second serve against big hitters.
  • Riske-Amritraj added that Eala needs more physical strength to drive the ball through the court and cope with the tour’s biggest strikers.
  • Her wins over Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jasmine Paolini and Madison Keys underpin the view that a better serve could put a top-10 finish within reach.
  • Eala makes her Linz Open debut next week in a field that includes Ekaterina Alexandrova and Katie Boulter, offering a near-term check on any serving and fitness gains.