ALEX Eala is off to the quarterfinals of the 2022 US Open Girls Singles.
The 17-year-old Filipina got the better off Australia's Taylah Preston, 6-2, 7-6(1), at the third round of the Juniors circuit to book a ticket to the quarterfinals, on Thursday morning (Philippine time), at the USTA Billie Jean King Center in New York City.
The Filipina survived a crucial tiebreak to escape a deciding set.
Alex Eala survives second set duel to seal the win
Breaking from 1-1, Eala led through the first set quick and easy, taking it to 5-1. Preston managed to take Game 7, but Eala took control to cap it off at 6-2.
A slow start marked her second set against the tournament's eighth seed. She trailed Preston by two games before tying at 4-4. The two exchanged games to force a tiebreaker at 6-6. Eala, seeded tenth, was quicker to race the deuce, 7(7)-6, to stop a deciding set and seal the win.
Eala will next face 14th seed Mirra Andreeva of Russia in the QF. They already met in a JA tournament in 2021, with Eala in a 1-0 head-to-head record over her.
The Filipina, WTA no. 290, is the second highest ranked pro in the Juniors circuit next to Diana Schnaider of Russa, WTA no. 246.
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