Alex Eala delivered another superb performance at the US Open Juniors Championship, smashing her way to the semifinals with a masterful 6-4, 6-0 triumph over her Russian doubles partner Mirra Andreeva in their girls' singles match on Thursday, Sept. 8 (Friday in Manila) at USTA Billie Jean King Center in New York.

Fresh from dumping eighth seed Taylah Preston of Australia, the 17-year-old Filipino ace couldn't find her rhythm and stared at a 4-2 deficit before finding steady footing with two aces to turn the tables around and snatch the first set.
That was the last stand Andreeva could get as the 10th seed Eala powered through with precision in the second set, storming to a quick 3-0 lead before her 15-year-old foe committed a double fault to seal the match.
Owner of two Grand Slam titles in the juniors doubles, Eala could become the first Philippine player to reach the singles finals of a major tournament if she hurdles past her semifinals foe and ninth seed Victoria Mboko of Canada.
Unlike Eala, a Rafa Nadal Academy standout who stamped her class in the quarters, Mboko was forced to her limits to eliminate fourth seed Celine Naef of Switzerland, 7-5, 2-6, 7-5.
Meanwhile in the doubles action, Eala and Andreeva had a walkover against the German pair of Carolina Kuhl and Ella Seidel in the Round of 16. (Nikole Javier)