Alycia Parks recovered from a rough start to defeat Alexandra Eala 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park. The American struggled early, losing the opening set in just 34 minutes, but she regrouped and took control in the second and third sets to secure the win.

The match featured a passionate home crowd supporting Eala, with hundreds of fans lining up for spots on Court 6. Philippine flags and chants filled the arena, creating a challenging environment for Parks, who admitted that she initially struggled to focus on her game plan.

Turning the tide against a fervent crowd

Parks said that adjusting her strategy and increasing aggression in her first serves helped her turn the match around. “I was starting to think I wasn’t focused on the game plan, which is why I played better in the second and third set,” she explained. By maintaining composure, she converted key breaks and relied on 12 aces to dominate the latter stages of the match.

After an intense second set, Parks carried momentum into the decider, breaking early to jump to a 2-0 lead. Eala tried to respond, but Parks remained composed, winning critical games to lead 4-2 and eventually serve for the match. Her strong performance forced Eala to save two match points, but Parks ultimately closed the match and earned applause from the crowd.

Victory sets up second-round clash

With the win, Parks advances to the second round to face either Karolina Muchova or Jaqueline Cristian. The American expressed confidence in her ability to perform under pressure, noting that crowds against her seem to fuel her intensity. “It definitely puts a fire on me. I would say I’m good when the crowds are against me,” she said with a laugh.

The comeback highlights Parks’ resilience and strategic adjustments, proving that she can handle both the physical and mental challenges of high-stakes matches at major tournaments.