Alex Eala 'intimidates' her opponents with one key weapon that keeps getting stronger

Eight-time major champion Jimmy Connors has offered his thoughts on Alex Eala, detailing a tactic she uses to intimidate opponents.

Eala, 21, is quickly becoming one of the hottest prospects on the WTA Tour, having secured her maiden career title at the Washington Open.

The youngster became the first Filipino to win a WTA singles title when she defeated Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 on Monday (August 3).

Since then, Eala has been in action at the Canadian Open in Toronto, continuing her impressive form by defeating Alycia Parks 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 on Wednesday (August 5) and, in doing so, progressing to the third round of the hard-court tournament while maintaining her 6-0 record in the North American hard-court swing.

After her most recent victory, Eala thanked fans for the support they had shown her, explaining how she is “eternally grateful”.

READ MORE: Alex Eala to match Serena Williams in achieving incredible feat after winning Washington Open title

“My fellow Filipinos, I see you every single week supporting me,” she said. “Week after week, I witness just how much you love our country and what it means to be Filipino.

"That's why I'm so, so, so incredibly proud to be a Filipino myself. Thank you so much, my fellow Filipinos. I love you all.”

Eala also teamed up with Venus Williams in the doubles competition in Toronto, although the pair’s campaign was cut short on Friday after losing 6-4, 6-3 to Liudmila Samsonova and Miyu Kato in the round of 32.

Eala returns to singles action on Saturday (August 8), taking on American Caty McNally for a spot in the round of 16.

Jimmy Connors backs 'pretty amazing' Alex Eala

And eight-time Grand Slam winner Connors has explained how he believes the Filipino has a huge advantage over her opponents due to the support she receives from the crowd.

Speaking about Eala’s rise on the Advantage Connors podcast, Connors said: “Let’s talk about her fanbase and the success she’s had, and what she brings to the women’s game is pretty amazing.

“The breakthrough to win a 500. What’s next on her list? A 1000 [event], because she’s got that opportunity leading up to a Grand Slam.

“We talk about confidence all the time, and with that confidence and with the following like that, that shows up to her matches and get behind her, I know what a crowd can do for you and how it can push you to levels of play that you never thought that you could reach yourself, because that little extra push sometimes wins matches for you.”

The 73-year-old then went on to suggest her fanbase actually intimidates her opponents without them realising.

“How good is that (the crowd support)? It pushes her,” he added.

“It gets in her mind that, ‘I’m doing this for myself, and I’m bringing people down on the court with me to get behind me, to be a part of what I do.’

“And that’s intimidating… I like that, I like it when the crowd’s getting involved and being a part of it and getting behind their players and pushing them and not being afraid to show it.

“That’s what made tennis exciting, in my opinion. Like it or not, like her or not, you’re there. You want to see her win or you don’t, but you’re there.

“And all that does is create interest in the women’s game, and in particular her, which is great.”