RIDING high on a six-match win streak, Alex Eala stormed into the quarterfinals of the WTA Sao Paulo Open with a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory over Argentina’s Julia Riera on Thursday morning, Manila time.
Just four days since lifting her maiden WTA trophy in Guadalajara 125, the 20-year-old third seed showed no signs of slowing down, blitzing through the opener in only 33 minutes as she raced to a 4-0 lead and surrendering just a single game.
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Up next for the in-form Eala is Indonesia’s Janice Tjen, the world No. 130, as she continues her chase for back-to-back WTA titles.
Eala and Riera split their two previous meetings, but this one was more convincing in the Filipina's favor.
Riera briefly threatened in the second set, even grabbing her first lead at 2-1 and keeping the game close to 4-5, but Eala eventually slammed the door in swashbuckling style.
The world No. 61 wrapped up the win in an hour and 17 minutes with her sharp game in full display - one that was likewise evident in a win against Yasmine Mansouri, 6-0, 6-2, in the round of 32 on Wednesday morning.
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