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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala edges Belarusian rival, advances to second round of Jingshan Open

Alex Eala edges Belarusian rival, advances to second round of Jingshan Open

Published Sep 23, 2025 02:58 pm

At A Glance

  • Alex Eala survived a gritty challenge from Aliona Falei to pull off a 6-3, 7-5 victory and advance to the second round of the Jingshan Tennis Open in China on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
Alex Eala opens her title campaign on a high note at the Jingshan Tennis Open. (File Photo/AP)
Alex Eala opens her title campaign on a high note at the Jingshan Tennis Open. (File Photo/AP)
Alex Eala survived a gritty challenge from Aliona Falei to pull off a 6-3, 7-5 victory and advance to the second round of the Jingshan Tennis Open in China on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
Tied at 3-all in the second set, the top-seeded Filipina had to dig deep as both players exchanged service breaks in the next five games before Eala eventually held her serve to seal the match in this Women’s Tennis Association (WTA125) tournament.
The win set up a second-round clash for Eala against the winner between unseeded Japanese Mei Yamaguchi and Hong Kong’s Hong Yi Cody Wong, who were playing at press time.
Eala came out strong, blitzing her way to a 4-0 lead en route to claiming the opening set.
But Falei found her rhythm midway through the second set, breaking Eala’s serve in the sixth game to spark a tight battle.
Eventually, the Belarusian began to fade, and Eala regained control to close out the match with a stronger finish.
The world No. 58 Eala seeks a second WTA crown after clinching her breakthrough title at the Guadalajara Open in Mexico early this month.
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