Serena Williams’ former coach identifies the change Alex Eala can make to her serve to transform her game
Alexandra Eala has marched into the Canadian Open fourth round after battling past American Caty McNally.
Eala, who recently won her first WTA Tour event in Washington, beat McNally 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 on Centre Court.
The young Filipina has now won seven consecutive matches.
However, Eala is far from the finished product. Improvements need to be made to her game – particularly in the serving department.
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Eala’s serve has long been the weakest area of her game. The shot lacks the power needed to challenge some of the best returners on the circuit.
Rick Macci, the former coach of Serena and Venus Williams, has offered his solution to Eala’s serving troubles.
Rick Macci’s advice for Alex Eala’s serve
“If Eala gets biomechanical help on the serve fasten seat belt. With the human eye and at 400 frames per second the timing of the leg drive to initiate the racquet entry is 100 per cent off,” Macci, who has also worked with Maria Sharapova and Andy Roddick, said in a post on X.
“This causes a decrease in acceleration and the right side to open too early and the [racket] head to drop.
“This is the main culprit.
“Another smaller ticket item is since she uses a pinpoint stance when the backfoot comes up it is too much to the outside of the right foot causing an early over rotation of the other side.
“Being a lefty she has an advantage and if this is reconstructed I can see a 115 mph lefty laser and more that will provide a breathtaking Philippine sunset and she will win more sets!”
Against McNally, Eala struck two aces and landed 70 per cent of her first serves.
The Filipina won 56 per cent of her first-serve attempts, and 52 per cent of her second-serve points.
Eala also hit two double faults and converted seven break-point opportunities.
Comparatively, McNally hit one ace, five double faults, and won 53 per cent of her first-serve points.
McNally also won 50 per cent of her second-serve attempts and converted six break-point chances.
Who will the winner of Alex Eala and Belinda Bencic play in the Canadian Open quarter-finals?
Eala and Bencic will play each other for the very first time on Sunday evening.
The winner of their round of 16 match will play either Coco Gauff or Russian youngster Alina Korneeva in the last eight.
Eala has a 1-1 record against Gauff, beating the American in their last match in Indian Wells.
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Meanwhile, Bencic has a 2-6 record against Gauff.
Bencic has lost her last four matches against the two-time major champion, last triumphing at Indian Wells in 2025.
Neither Eala nor Bencic has previously played Korneeva on the WTA circuit.
