SLOWLY getting comfortable on grass, Alex Eala faces another tricky test from defending WTA 125 Lexus Ilkley Open champion Rebecca Marino of Canada on at 6 p.m. [Manila time] on Friday.
Eala, 20, has yet to drop a set through two matches in this tournament formerly known as the Ilkley Trophy, showing encouraging progress after an early exit from her first tournament of the season on grass at the Birmingham Classic last week.
READ Eala makes quick work of Ryser to reach quarters
The top-seeded Philippine ace now will be tested by a tour veteran who won this tournament as an unseeded player last year and comes in ranked No. 8 with a world ranking of No. 107.
However, Marino, 34, isn't to be underestimated, having reached a high of No. 38 in the WTA rankings in her career.
In her last outing, Marino came roaring back from one-set down to oust Great Britain's Emily Appleton, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, also last Thursday.
Eala, however, is showing good form at the moment.
The world No. 77 is coming off a convincing 6-1, 6-2 victory over Valentina Ryser in the round of 16 last Thursday. That followed her opening-round win against Filipino-Australian Lizette Cabrera, 7(7)-6(4), 6-3, on Wednesday.
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