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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Eala repeats over Sawangkaew, punches semis ticket in Birmingham Open

Eala repeats over Sawangkaew, punches semis ticket in Birmingham Open

Published Jun 6, 2026 08:19 am

At A Glance

  • Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala stretched her win streak on grass after repeating over Thai Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6-3, 6-2, to march into the semifinal of the WTA 125 Birmingham Open in the United Kingdom early Saturday, June 6 (Philippine time).
Alex Eala cruises into the semifinals in Birmingham. (Birmingham Open)
Alex Eala cruises into the semifinals in Birmingham. (Birmingham Open)
Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala stretched her win streak on grass after repeating over Thai Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6-3, 6-2, to march into the semifinal of the WTA 125 Birmingham Open in the United Kingdom early Saturday, June 6 (Philippine time).
In the all-Southeast Asian quarters duel, the 21-year-old Eala, the tournament’s No. 1 seed, emerged victorious after outservicing – off 44-24 service points – and outpointing – 71-51 points won – Sawangkaew to pull off the victory anew that took one hour and 21 minutes.
Sawangkaew, for her part, tried her best to hold her ground, but Eala found ways to neutralize the Thai, especially in the second frame.
Eala, rated No. 37 in the WTA rankings, also leveled her professional head-to-head record against No. 173 Sawangkaew, the same hometown favorite she defeated to capture a historic women's singles gold medal for the Philippines at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games last December in Thailand.capture a historic women's singles gold medal for the Philippine
More importantly, the 5-foot-9 lefty’s recent triumph arranged her a semis clash against No. 132 Rebeka Masarova of Switzerland, who previously escaped No. 146 American Mary Stoiana, 6-4, 3-6, 6-0, in the quarters.
This will be the second showdown in the professional ranks between Eala and Masarova with the former beating the Swiss via a 6-4, 6-3 win in Round of 32 of last year’s ITF W75 Trnava in Slovakia.
The two had also teamed up in the Birmingham Open doubles event last year, concluding their campaign in Round of 16 after absorbing a 4-6, 4-6 loss to Australians Ellen Perez and Storm Hunter.
Eala continues to strengthen her game on the grass after a promising clay-court swing as she prepares for the prestigious Wimbledon Championships which fires off later this month. 

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Alex Eala Mananchaya Sawangkaew WTA 125 Birmingham Open
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