Alex Eala defeats world No. 20 player, enters WTA 250 quarterfinals

(NLDO) - Filipino tennis player Alex Eala overcame the tournament's third seed to enter the quarterfinals of the Eastbourne Open 2025.

Young Filipino tennis player Alex Eala has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Eastbourne Open 2025 in England after WTA No. 20 Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia) withdrew due to injury in the second round match on the night of June 25.

After being completely overwhelmed in the first set with a score of 0-6, Eala regained the game with a 6-2 victory in the second set and temporarily led 3-2 in the deciding set before the third seed suffered an ankle injury and withdrew.

“It's never a good feeling to end a match like this. I hope she recovers soon, because it was a very tense match, it could have gone either way,” Eala said.

“I’m also proud that I found a solution after a tough first set. I broke her serve in the third set and was in the lead before she gave up,” the Filipino added.

Eala had previously qualified for the first round with a comfortable win over Lucia Bronzetti. She is on a four-match winning streak – her best run since reaching the Miami Open semi-finals.

The Eastbourne Open also marked a big step forward on grass for Eala, who had little experience playing on this surface. “I think grass is starting to suit my playing style. Physically I am fine and the more I play, the more confident I am,” said the 20-year-old.

Currently ranked 74th in the WTA, Eala has temporarily risen to 68th in the live rankings and can reach a career-high ranking if she defeats Dayana Yastremska (Ukraine, ranked 42) in the quarter-finals.

Another win would take the Filipino to 64th in the WTA Live Rankings – a huge morale boost before Eala becomes the first female player from the Philippines to play in the main draw of Wimbledon next week.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/alex-eala-thang-tay-vot-hang-20-the-gioi-vao-tu-ket-wta-250-196250626015915557.htm