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Eala survives Aussie bet, barges into semis of Canberra tilt

Sports

Eala survives Aussie bet, barges into semis of Canberra tilt

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

At A Glance

Alex Eala rose from an opening-set stumble and turned back unseeded local bet Taylah Preston, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, to barge into the semifinals of the Workday Canberra International in Australia on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Alex Eala rose from an opening-set stumble and turned back unseeded local bet Taylah Preston, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, to barge into the semifinals of the Workday Canberra International in Australia on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Eala, who underwent two qualifying matches to enter the main draw, dug deep early in the second frame to dictate the pace throughout and inch closer to a breakthrough Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles title.

The victory set the Filipina tennis standout a Final Four date with the winner between China’s Wei Sijia and Switzerland’s Simona Waltert, who are playing at press time.

Eala broke Preston’s serve to take a 3-1 lead in the deciding set and held on with her powerful shots from all angles. It took her one hour and 52 minutes to dispose of her rival.

The victory also underscored Eala’s dominance over Preston, whom she faced twice last year and prevailed.

They first met in the qualifying round of the 2024 Roland Garros where the Filipina standout prevailed in three sets before replicating that feat in their second meeting in the Round of 32 of the 2024 Landisville in Pennsylvania.

Whether Eala meets Wei or Waltert, who are both unseeded, it is expected to be another thrilling match -- something that the PH bet knows and is not taking lightly.

Both Wei and Waltert have yet to drop a set in the tournament, and boast of upset victories against seeded rivals.

Wei shocked eighth seed Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the Round of 16, 6-3, 6-2, while Waltert stunned fourth pick Darja Semenistaja of Latvia, 6-2, 6-1, in the opening round.

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WTA Alex Eala

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