ALEX Eala advanced to the quarterfinals of the women’s singles tennis event without lifting a racquet in the 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games after receiving a first-round bye.
The 20-year-old Filipina, ranked No. 52 in the world and the highest-ranked player in the field, will face the winner of the match between Malaysia’s Shihomi Leong and Laos’ Aliya Vongdala in the second round.
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Her former tormentor and fellow rising star Janice Tjen of Indonesia, the world No. 53, also drew a bye as the women’s singles draw featured limited entries.
Meanwhile, in mixed doubles, Eala and partner Francis Alcantara likewise secured a first-round bye.
Eala is aiming to improve on her bronze-medal finish in the previous SEA Games.
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