Alex Eala bucked a lethargic opening set to defeat Yvonne Cavelle-Reimers of Spain, 0-6, 6-2, 7-5, and barge into the quarterfinals of the W60 Madrid International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament in Spain Thursday.
The 17-year-old Eala got down to work and regained her composure to outplay Cavalle-Reimers and set up a Final 8 meeting with Australian Jaimee Fourlis.
The third-seeded Fourlis bested Colombia’s Maria Fernanda Herazo Gonzalez, 6-1, 7-5.
After a silent opening set, Eala fought back with a quick 3-1 lead and dictated the pace en route to the set victory.
Cavalle-Reimers recovered in the deciding third set and took a 5-3 lead, but Eala refused to give up the fight by winning four straight games to seal the win.
Eala is expected to have a tough time against the 22-year-old Fourlis, who is currently ranked No. 182 and is coming off back-to-back title victories at the W25 Madrid and W60 Brasov in Romania.
Eala, meanwhile, is currently ranked No. 413 and is looking at her third pro title.