Alex Eala books Guadalajara Open semis slot with back-to-back wins

Eala pulled off two victories in one day to reach the semifinals of the WTA 125 Guadalajara Open.

The Filipina tennis sensation first completed her rain-suspended Round of 16 match against American Varvara Lepchenko with a 6-7(3), 7-6(3), 6-3 comeback win and came back to the court to oust Italy’s Nicole Fossa Huergo, 7-6(2), 6-2, in the quarterfinals, September 5. 

Eala, who was ahead 3-2 in the decider before play was halted the previous day, closed out the match by winning three of the last four games.

In her quarterfinal match, the Italian led 5-3 in the first set, but Eala strung together three straight games and cruised through the tiebreak.

The heavy-handed Eala then broke Fossa Huergo twice in the second set with deep cross-court returns to seal the victory.

She will next face American Kayla Day, who stunned third seed Emiliana Arango of Colombia, 7-5, 6-2.

Their semifinal clash is scheduled on September 6 (Philippine time).