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Eala stuns German rival, books finals berth in Luxembourg tilt

Sports

Eala stuns German rival, books finals berth in Luxembourg tilt

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

At A Glance

Alex Eala recovered from a second-set stumble to survive fourth seed Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, to book a finals berth in the Kyotec Open in Petange, Luxembourg on Saturday, Nov. 18.

Alex Eala recovered from a second-set stumble to survive fourth seed Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, to book a finals berth in the Kyotec Open in Petange, Luxembourg on Saturday, Nov. 18.

alex eala — Alex Eala inches closer to her fifth pro title. (File Photo)

The 18-year-old Eala, seeded ninth in the $40,000 International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament, banked on her strong serves to outhustle her higher ranked rival and inched closer to the title.

The Filipina bet came through with seven aces to make up for seven double faults while winning four breakpoints.

Eala next faces another more experienced rival in third seed Oceane Dodin, a 27-year-old Frenchwoman ranked No. 103 in the Women’s Tennis Association.

Dodin cruised to the finals with a 6-1, 6-3 triumph over unseeded Belgian Hanne Vandewinkle.

Dodin, who seeks her 18^th pro singles title and fifth this season, is coming off a championship win in the W60 Nantes in France just last week.

Eala, who is 101 rungs lower than Dodin in the WTA, is looking at closing out her season on a high note.

Another victory for Eala would give her a fifth pro title and would make this year her most successful season to date following two earlier title wins in the W25 Yecla in Spain last May and the W25 Roehampton in Great Britain last August.

Outside the pro circuit, Eala also shone with two bronze medals at the 19^th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

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