Alex Eala hurdles Russian foe to advance in Madrid Open

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala advanced to the next round of the Madrid Open after downing Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday, April 22.

The world number 44 Filipina will next face number 21 Elise Mertens of Belgium in the round of 64.

Eala trailing the 34-year-old Pavlyuchenkova 2-1 in the first set, racked two straight games to lead 3-2. The Filipina took advantage of the Russian who called a medical timeout, emerging afterwards with a thigh wrap, by winning three games out of four to close the set.

Eala dominated the second set racing to a 3–1 lead. The number 116 Pavlyuchenkova tried to stay afloat scoring one more game 3-2 but the Filipino star took the next two games at 5–2.

Pavlyuchenkova managed to score one last game at 5-3. Eala ended the duel with a coup de grace, launching a powerful serve to win the final game and seal the match.