Alex Eala beats Charaeva, reaches Birmingham Open quarterfinals

June 5 ------ ALEX Eala got her act together just in time to beat Alina Charaeva, 6-2, 7-5, and book a quarterfinal ticket in the WTA 125 Lexus Birmingham Open.

The Filipina top seed averted a second-set collapse, coming back from 2-5 down and saving three set points to seal the win against the Russian rising star in one hour and 38 minutes. The victory, her second straight against Charaeva since their meeting at the Philippine Women's Open, sends the 21-year old to a Final 8 date against fellow Southeast Asian Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand.

The Birmingham Open marks Eala’s first tournament on grass after wrapping up a spotty clay-court campaign that ended in a first-round exit at the French Open. Eala looked in complete control early, storming to a commanding 4-0 lead. But Charaeva put the world No. 37 on the back foot after building a 2-5 advantage.

Eala, however, flipped the momentum at the perfect time, winning five straight games to complete the comeback and finish off the straight-set victory.

Source: spin.ph