Alex Eala ousts ‘close friend’ Zeynep Sonmez, advances in Abu Dhabi Open

Alex Eala of the Philippines outclassed Zeynep Somnez of Turkey in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3 at the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open in the United Arab Emirates on February 3, Manila Time.

Eala will advance to the round of 16 against Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus.

Rising four notches to world number 45 a few days ago, Eala exchanged powerful flat strokes and sharp corner placements with the number 79 Somnez. Eala, egged on by the pro-Eala crowd throughout the match, emerged victorious after one hour and twenty nine minutes.

Somnez and Eala go way back when they were junior players. After the match, Eala paid tribute to Somnez and said, "I'm so honored to share the court with one of my closest friends, Zeynep," Eala said. "I admire her so much and she's really making waves in many ways, and our friendship goes beyond tennis and I'm so grateful for that."

“It’s harder in the juniors, but as you become a professional you learn to disassociate, and in the end we both want the best for each other,” she added.