FILE–Alex Eala from the Philippines. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala moved one step closer to her first championship of 2025 after reaching the semifinals of the Women’s Tennis Association 125 Canberra International.
A first set loss didn’t stop Eala from asserting her mastery of Australian Taylah Preston with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory to advance to the tournament’s Final Four on Thursday at the Canberra Tennis Center .
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READ; Alex Eala ‘excited’ to pursue more goals in 2025
The Filipino netmer had to overcome a tough first set loss and get off to a 1-2 start in the second set before winning five straight games to force a deciding match.
Eala, 19, dominated the final set winning six but one games for her first semi-final appearance this year.
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Eala faces China’s Wei Sijia for a ticket to the final on Friday morning.
READ: Alex Eala concludes a busy month in China
Academy graduate Rafael Nadal, currently world number 147, has won three consecutive matches against WTA number 170 Preston, including a French Open qualifying match last year.
The Filipino prodigy was in tears in Canberra as she swept aside Dutchwoman Arianne Hartono, 6-3, 6-3, in the quarter-finals less than 24 hours ago.
Eala cruised through qualifying, winning five straight matches to move one victory away from her first championship match this year before heading to next week’s Australian Open qualifier.
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