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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala faces litmus test in Suzhou Open WTA 125 quarters

Alex Eala faces litmus test in Suzhou Open WTA 125 quarters

Published Oct 2, 2025 03:46 pm

At A Glance

  • Alex Eala faces a litmus test against Swiss veteran Viktorija Golubic in the quarterfinals of Suzhou WTA 125 tournament on Friday, Oct. 3, in China.
Alex Eala faces a litmus test against Swiss veteran Viktorija Golubic in the quarterfinals of Suzhou WTA 125 tournament on Friday, Oct. 3, in China.
The Filipina tennis princess is hoping to keep her momentum going after booking a fourth consecutive quarterfinal appearance since her title run at Guadalajara 125 when she outlasted Greet Minnen with a 7-6(5), 6-7 (3), 7-5 victory in the Round of 16.
But Golubic, who will be facing Eala for the first time, offers a different challenge as the 32-year-old Golubic is looking to use her veteran smarts against the younger Filipina.
She is currently ranked No. 70 by the Women’s Tennis Association and reached a career-high ranking of No. 35 in 2022.
Golubic had her best result in the Grand Slam when he reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2021. She also has won two WTA titles.
The right handed player, who came in the tournament as the sixth seed, reached the quarterfinals after defeating compatriot Rebeka Masarova, 6-2,6-3, in the first round before dominating Czech player Linda Fruhvirtova, 6-2,6-0 in the second round.
Eala, on the other hand, opened the tournament with a 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, victory over Poland's Katarzyna Kawa in the Round of 32.
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