Alex Eala and Brazilian partner Laura Pigossi survived their more experienced rival in Italian Sara Errani and Mexico’s Renata Zarazu, 5-7, 6-0, 10-6, to book a quarterfinals berth in the Workday Canberra International in Australia on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

The unseeded pair crawled back from a tight opening set stumble before dominating their rivals in the next two sets to inch closer to the title in this $125,000 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tournament.

The victory arranged Eala and Pigossi an anticipated tough duel against fourth seed Celine Naef of Switzerland and Anna Bondar of Hungary, who won via default over Americans Elizabeth Mandlik and Katie Volynets.

Incidentally, Eala bowed to Naef in her first qualifying round match in this event, 6-4, 7-5.

The event serves as a pre-tournament for Eala as she gears up for the 2024 Australian Open, where she earned a qualifying slot in the singles.

Eala, who boasts of a career-high No. 185 in the world rankings, is also in the hunt for a first pro doubles title after winning four singles titles including two last year.