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Eala dumps Croatian rival, storms into quarters in ASB Classic

Sports

Eala dumps Croatian rival, storms into quarters in ASB Classic

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

At A Glance

With the victory, the world No. 53 Eala arranges a quarterfinals date with fifth seed Magda Linette, who overcame a second-set stumble to defeat Elisabetta Cocciaretto, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.

Alex Eala. (ASB Classic)

Alex Eala. (ASB Classic)

Alex Eala made short work of Petra Marcinko, 6-0, 6-2, to barge into the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand on Thursday, Jan. 8.

The fourth-seeded Eala hardly broke a sweat in their 62-minute match, dropping her serve only once en route to dominating Marcinko in this Women’s Tennis Association (WTA 250) tournament.

With the victory, the world No. 53 Eala arranges a quarterfinals date with fifth seed Magda Linette, who overcame a second-set stumble to defeat Elisabetta Cocciaretto, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.

This would be the third time that Eala is facing Linette, with the 33-year-old Polish veteran winning their first two meetings.

They first faced off in Abu Dhabi two years ago, where Linette prevailed 7-6 (4), 6–1. The pair met again last year at the Nottingham Open in Great Britain, with the 2023 Australian Open semifinalist once again claiming victory, 6-4, 6-3.

Ranked just one notch ahead of Eala, Linette boasts of a wide experience with three career singles titles on her belt. She ranked as high as No. 19 in 2023.

Before their quarters showdown, though, Eala and American Iva Jovic are partnering in the women’s doubles Final 8 against the dangerous Jesika Maleckova and Rena Zarazua on Friday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m.

The unseeded Maleckova and Zarazua are riding the crest of their 3-6, 6-2, 12-10 upset win over top seeds Asia Muhammad and Erin Routliffe.

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