By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Her confidence improving each day, Alex Eala just made short work of Croatian Petra Marcinko, 6-0, 6-2, and sailed into the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand on Thursday, Jan. 8.
The fourth-seeded Eala produced pinpoint shots that helped wear down her rival, needing only 62 minutes to seal the win. So overpowering was Eala she dropped her serve only once en route 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 hiccup to defeat Elisabetta Cocciaretto, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.
This would be the third time that Eala is facing Linette with the 20-year-old Filipina ace raring to get back at the 33-year-old Polish veteran who prevailed in their first two meetings.
They first faced off in Abu Dhabi two years ago, where Linette triumphed 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.
Linette also boasts of a wide experience with three career singles titles tucked under her belt. She was also ranked as high as No. 19 in 2023.
Before their quarters showdown, Eala and American Iva Jovic will be facing Jesika Maleckova and Rena Zarazua in the doubles on Friday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m.
The unseeded Maleckova and Zarazua are riding the crest of a 3-6, 6-2, 12-10 upset win over top seeds Asia Muhammad and Erin Routliffe.
