ANOTHER top-ranked player awaits Alex Eala, as the Filipina world No. 28 advanced to the second WTA 500 semifinal of her career, keeping her bid for a first tour-level title alive.
READ: What's behind Eala's penchant for taking down foes in Top 10?
Less than 24 hours after defeating world No. 10 Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals, Eala found herself drawn against Japanese icon Naomi Osaka, who was coming off a three-set victory over 71st-ranked Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
It will be Eala's first career meeting with the first Asian player to reach the world No. 1 ranking. They will face off early Sunday morning, not before 3:00 a.m., Manila time.
Earlier in the tournament, Osaka advanced to the quarterfinals via walkover after Ashlyn Krueger withdrew from their Round of 16 match. She also received a first-round bye as the tournament's third seed.
Eala, meanwhile, defeated Leylah Fernandez in the Round of 16 after routing Qinwen Zheng in her opening match.
READ:
Osaka owns seven WTA singles titles, including four Grand Slam crowns on hard courts —two from the US Open and another two from the Australian Open.
"She's such an accomplished player, and I think she's made waves on and off the tennis court for so many reasons. There's so much respect for her for that, and I'm really excited. I haven't had much time to think about it, but I will definitely think about it after I get off court," Eala said when asked about facing her fellow Asian.
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