Eala-Kichenok duo shrug off late second-set scare to reach Guangzhou Open semis

Filipina tennis ace Alexa Eala and Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok fended off a second-set fightback from Russia’s Polina Kudermetova and Kamilla Rakhimova to carve out a 6-3, 7-5 victory and advance to the Guangzhou Open doubles semifinals in China on Oct. 24.

Despite the Russians taking a late lead, the Filipino-Ukrainian pair held their nerve and sealed the match in straight sets after one hour and eight minutes of play.

Their back-to-back wins in the tournament kept Eala’s bid alive for her first WTA women’s doubles title, following early-round struggles in her recent singles campaign.

After cruising through the opener, Eala and Kichenok momentarily faltered in the second frame as the Russians snatched a slim 5-4 lead, threatening to force a decider.

The Filipino-Ukrainian duo, however, kept their composure, holding serve to level the score before clinching the final game and booking their semifinal berth.

In the first set, Eala and Kichenok raced to a 2-0 start before the Russians caught up at 3-all.

Refusing to let the momentum slip, the pair held firm to sweep the next three games and close out the set.

Stat sheets reflected the Filipina and Ukrainian netters’ efficiency, winning 40 service points to their opponents’ 28 and holding nine service games apiece. Five double faults from the Russian tandem also contributed to the straight-sets victory.

Eala and Kichenok will next face Poland’s Katarzyna Piter and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen for a spot in the finals on Oct. 25.