Photo from Alex Eala’s Instagram
MANILA, Philippines—After recent struggles, Alex Eala finally got her rhythm back, reaching the semifinals of the W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz International Tennis Federation (ITF) in Spain.
Eala overcame Lucia Cortez Llorca of Spain in the tournament’s quarterfinal, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, on Friday night (Manila time).
“My first 100k semifinal tomorrow,” Eala posted on her Instagram on Saturday.
The victory came after she edged China’s Tianmi Mi, 6-3, 6-7, 6-0, in the Round of 16 on Thursday.
Llorca began the final set by winning the first game, putting the 18-year-old Filipino tennis ace in trouble.
The 18-year-old Eala fought back and unloaded a 5-1 run to seal the deal and end her string of quarterfinal exits.
Last month, Eala and Indonesian partner Beatrice Gumulaya bowed out of the Open Villa De Tauste-Tomas Arrieta doubles quarters.
Then, earlier this month, the world No. 128 also bounced out of the W40 Palma Del Rio quarterfinals after suffering a 6-4, 6-2 loss at the hands of Russia’s Valeria Savinykh.
Now returning on the semifinal stage, Eala faces Italian Jessika Ponchet, who is ranked by the ITF as No. 137 in the world, on Saturday night.