By MARK REY MONTEJO
Two wins in a day, and wow, another semis appearance for Alex Eala.
Looking deadlier and prolific since her historic win in the first round of the US Open, Eala wore down Italian Nicole Fossa Huergo, 7-6(2), 6-2, to punch her semifinal ticket in the Guadalajara 125 Open early Friday, Sept. 5 (Philippine time).
The 20-year-old Eala continued to ride the momentum and pulled off a comeback in the first set where she overcame a 1-4 disadvantage and turned it into a 6-5 lead before outlasting her Italian foe in the tiebreak to seal the opening frame.
Just a few hours after beating American Varvara Lepchenko in their rain-delayed second round match, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-3, Eala was again staring at another opening-set defeat when she fell behind 1-4.
But once again, Eala showed her indomitable spirit as she staged another huge comeback much to the delight of her supporters to grab the lead, 6-5.
Though the Italian managed to force a tiebreak, it was clear that the momentum had already shifted to Eala’s side as the Filipina ace produced one screaming shot after another to take the set.
It was all Eala show after shattering a 2-2 count in the second set, thanks to her powerful hits .
Eala now secured a semis date Saturday, Sept. 6, with American Kayla Day, who stunned No. 3 seed Emiliana Arango of Colombia, 7-5, 6-2, in the quarters.
This will be the first showdown between Eala and Day with both netters eyeing for their first WTA title.
With her triumph, the 5-foot-9 lefty, who is second seed in the meet, improved to No. 69 in the WTA live rankings.
And this was Eala third straight win – she toppled Dutch Arianne Hartono in the opening round, 6-2, 6-2 – before a delayed three-set victory over Lepchenko.
Eala made heads turn after a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) over world No. 14 Danish Clara Tauson.
But the euphoria of a nation looking for another heroine was muted by a shocking loss to unseeded Spanish Cristina Bucșa, 6-4, 6-3.
