FILE–Filipino tennis star Alex Eala. –Photo from Alex Eala’s Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Alex Eala outlasted her doubles partner Destanee Aiava of Australia, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, to reach the W25 Roehampton quarterfinals on Thursday evening (Manila time) in Great Britain.
The 18-year-old Filipino averted a lethargic start as her Australian foe convincingly took the opening set. But Eala stayed composed, breaking a 5-5 tie in the second by winning two straight games to force a decider.
The sixth-seed netter unleashed a 4-1 start in the third set and never looked back to eliminate the 23-year-old Aiava and prevail in a grueling two-hour and 32-minute duel.
After beating Aiava in the singles, Eala and her partner ended their doubles campaign with a 1-6, 5-7 loss to the top-seed Australian pair Talia Gibson and Petra Hule.
Eala, who is currently ranked No. 250 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), will make her second straight quarterfinals appearance in the International Tennis Federation tour coming off a final eight exit in the W60 Barcelona last week.
The Rafael Nadal Academy graduate battles the No.1 seed Priscilla Hon of Australia on Friday.