Alex Eala knocks off home bet, advances to W60 Nantes semifinal

Alex Eala during the quarterfinal round of the W60 Nantest tournament in France. Photo from Alex Eala’s Facebook

MANILA, Philippines—Alex Eala continued her W60 Nantes run, advancing in the semifinal round after defeating home bet Leolia Jeanjean, 6-4, 2-0, in France on Friday (Manila time).

The Filipino tennis ace had to turn in another comeback effort to dispatch her French counterpart, who retired in the second set.

Eala pulled off a hard-earned 7-6(5), 6-4 victory over Zeynep Sonmez of Turkiye in the round of 16 on Wednesday.

After absorbing a 1-4 blitz by Jeanjean in the opening set, the world’s 193rd-ranked player blanked the opposition to take a 1-0 set lead.

Eala never looked back since taking the headstart.

The 18-year-old Eala’s victory set her up for a semis clash with Czech competitor Gabriela Knutson on Friday.

The other semis bracket features French bets Oceane Dodin and Elsa Jacquemot.

Eala is gunning for a fifth title in the pro ranks.