Breakthrough victory for Alex Eala, making it to the Round of 16 of the Ilkley Open after a hard-fought win over Fil-Australian Lizette Cabrera.
Alex Eala dug deep in the first set to take a breakthrough victory at the Ilkley Open, beating Fil-Australian and former doubles partner Lizette Cabrera in the first round, 7-6(4), 6-3, on Tuesday (early morning Wednesday, Manila time).
Eala, who suffered first round exits in her last three singles tournaments, went neck-and-neck with qualifier Cabrera in the first set which went into a tiebreak, taking 58 minutes to finish.
After going down early against Cabrera, 1-3, Eala had to rally and force the tiebreak after holding her serve in the 12th game.
Then the 20-year-old then finished with a 3-0 flourish in the tiebreak to claim the opening set, 7-6(4).
In set 2, it was an easier path to victory when Eala zoomed to the 5-2 advantage.
Despite Cabrera taking a game back after saving two match points in the succeeding game, Eala was able to finish the job in game 9 after one deuce.
The Rafa Nadal Academy scholar hopes that her win against Cabrera will be a momentum builder, especially in the grass season, as she faces Swiss hitter Valentina Ryser next in the Round of 16 which is slated on Thursday, Manila time.
Like Cabrera, Ryser also got into the main draw of the WTA 125 tournament via the qualifiers.