Photo from Rafa Nadal Academy Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala powered through a first set defeat and overcame France’s Carole Monnet 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the ITF Rafa Nadal Academy Friday.
The 15-year-old’s quarterfinals win came after she stunned tournament top seed, and world No. 2, Seone Mendez in straight sets.
This was the first time that Eala dropped a set in the tournament after her opening match against Italy’s Anna Paradisi ended 6-1, 6-2.
The win pushed Eala to her first semifinals in the professional circuit wherein she’ll face Hong Kong’s Adithya Karunaratne.
Eala is the No. 3 player in the ITF Junior World Rankings and is looking to garner the points to get into position in the seniors division.
She’s looking to follow up on a strong 2020 where she won the Australian Open Girls’ doubles tournament.
Eala was also a semifinalist in the French Open Girls’ Singles Tournament.