Eala cruises to ASB Classic quarterfinals

Sports

A DOMINANT performance sent Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala to the quarterfinal round of the ASB Classic as she scored a 6-0, 6-2 win over Petra Marčinko on Thursday (Philippine time), Jan. 8, in Auckland, New Zealand.

Ranked No. 53 in the world, Eala now has defeated two Croatians in what is shaping up to be a dominant run in the lead-up to her maiden main draw appearance in the Australian Open.

Eala She first defeated world No. 69 Donna Vekic, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, before dominating Marcinko, who is ranked No. 82 in the world.

Unlike in her win win versus the veteran Vekic, the 20-year-old Eala didn’t have to labor hard against Marcinko.

Eala raced to a quick 3-0 lead in the opening set and went on to blank her opponent in the first set that she ended in less than 30 minutes.

Marčinko tried to get back in the match by seizing a 2-1 lead in the second set. Eala, however, won the next four games to seize full control.

Eala’s next opponent will be the winner in the Round of 16 match between world No 52 Magda Linette and world No. 81 Elisabetta Cocciaretto.(CCM)