Alex Eala in the 2022 US Open. –ALEX EALA FACEBOOK
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Alex Eala and Russian Mirra Andreeva opened their 2022 US Open girls doubles campaign on a rousing note before facing each other in the singles quarterfinals on Friday (Manila time) at USTA Billie Jean King Center in New York.
Eala, who is eyeing her third junior grand slam title in doubles, and her partner Andreeva dominated Americans Shannon Lam and Iva Jovic, 6-2, 6-2, to reach the Round of 16.
The pair takes on Carolina Kuhl and Ella Seidel for a quarterfinals berth on Friday at 3 a.m. (Manila time) after their singles clash at 12 a.m.
The 17-year-old Eala star also fended off Taylah Preston of Australia in a tight second set duel, 6-2, 7-6(1), to reach the quarterfinals of the US Open Juniors singles event on Thursday.
After taking full control of the opening set, the 10th seed Eala was forced to a toe-to-toe second set as Preston prevented the former from closing out the match, fighting back from a 6-5 deficit. But the Filipino prodigy displayed grace under pressure in the deuce to avoid a decider and seal her entry to the next round.
The 14th seed Andreeva, meanwhile, averted a slow start before ousting Sofia Costoulas of Belgium in three sets, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, to forge a quarterfinal duel with her doubles partner.
The Rafael Nadal Academy scholar, who is currently Women’s Tennis Association rank No. 290, is eyeing her first singles title in the US Open Juniors after winning two professional titles in the past two years.
Eala suffered a quarterfinal exit in last year’s tournament after losing to Sebastianna Scilipoti of Switzerland in the quarterfinals.