By MARK REY MONTEJO
Filipina ace Alex Eala is set for another tough assignment as she faces world No. 20 Latvian Jelena Ostapenko in the Round of 16 of the WTA 250 Lexus Eastbourne Open in Great Britain Wednesday evening, June 25 (Philippine time).
The 20-year-old Eala, who is unseeded in the meet, tries to replicate her stunning win in the Miami Open last March against No. 3 seed Ostapenko in their 9:30 p.m. showdown.
Ostapenko outclassed British Sonay Kartal, 6-3, 7-6(7), in Round of 32 where Eala, for her run, stunned Italian LuciaBronzetti via a convincing 6-0, 6-1 win.
Eala pulled a stunner over the 2017 French Open champion, 7-6 (2), 7-5, on American soil where the former turned heads with her giant-slaying ways, beating the likes of hometown bets Katie Volynets and Madison Keys, Spain’s Paula Badosa (walkover), and Poland’s Iga Swiatek.
However, her Cinderella run was spoiled by USA’s and eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula in three sets, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3.
For the past month, Eala has been trying to improve her performance on the grass surface as she set to vie in the upcoming Wimbledon later this month.
