FILE–Philippines’ Alex Eala. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala started the year 2025 on a high note after advancing to the Women’s Tennis Association 125 Workday Canberra International quarterfinal.
On New Year’s Day, Eala swept Arianne Hartono of the Netherlands, 6-3, 6-3, to advance to the final eight at Canberra Tennis Centre.
READ: Alex Eala ‘excited’ to chase more goals in 2025
The 19-year-old Filipino netter continued to go on a tear, beating Hartono in just an hour and 10 minutes.
Eala will be facing a familiar foe in the quarterfinal against home bet Taylah Preston on Thursday.
Eala, currently WTA World No. 147, beat the No.170 Preston twice last year including a French Open Qualifier game.
READ: Alex Eala reaches Canberra tournament main draw
The young netters clash for a semifinal berth on the second day of the new year.
The Rafael Nadal Academy graduate beat Austria’s Sinja Kraus 6-2, 6-4, in the first round after reaching the main draw from a pair of big wins in the qualifiers with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Catherine Aulia and a hard-earned 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 triumph over home bet Alana Subasic.
Eala is bracing for the 2025 Australian Open qualifiers from January 6 to 11, hoping to make her women’s Grand Slam main draw debut this year.