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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala recovers from second-set hiccup vs Russian, advances to Birmingham quarters

Alex Eala recovers from second-set hiccup vs Russian, advances to Birmingham quarters

Published Jun 4, 2026 11:43 pm

At A Glance

  • Filipina netter Alex Eala got off to a rousing start before completing an epic second-set comeback to hold off Russia's Alina Charaeva, 6-2, 7-5, and advance to the quarterfinal of the WTA 125 Birmingham Open in the United Kingdom Thursday, June 4.
Alexandra Eala of Philippines returns to Iva Jovic of the U.S. during their first round men's singles tennis match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Alexandra Eala of Philippines returns to Iva Jovic of the U.S. during their first round men's singles tennis match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Filipina netter Alex Eala got off to a rousing start before completing an epic second-set comeback to hold off Russia’s Alina Charaeva, 6-2, 7-5, and advance to the quarterfinal of the WTA 125 Birmingham Open in the United Kingdom Thursday, June 4.
Following a dominant showing in the opening frame, Eala, 21, lost steam in the second set where she found herself trailing, 2-5.
Fortunately, she regained her footing and strung together five straight games to take down 24-year-old Charaeva in their Round of 16 duel that lasted one hour and 40 minutes.
Early this year, Eala scored a 6-1, 6-2 triumph over the Russian bet in the opener of the maiden WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open.
Aside from reaffirming her mastery on Charaeva, Eala arranged an all-Southeast Asian quarters showdown with Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand, who previously toppled American Kayla Day, 6-4, 6-1, to advance.
It can be remembered that Eala bested hometown bet Sawangkaew, 6-1, 6-2, to reign supreme in the women’s singles tennis event of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last December.
That triumph ended the 26-year gold-medal drought of the Philippines in the said category.
However, 23-year-old Sawangkaew holds the edge in the professional circuit after she dispatched Eala, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, in the ⁠ITF W100 Takasaki International Open quarters in Japan nearly two years ago.
The winner between Eala and Sawangkaew could face either Swiss Rebeka Masarova or American Mary Stoiana in the semis.

Related Tags

Alex Eala Birmingham Open Mananchaya Sawangkae Alina Charaeva PH Women\'s Tennis Open WTA 125 grass-court swing
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