Eala waltzes past Marcinko, into ASB Classic quarters

MANILA, Philippines, January 9 ------ Alex Eala breezed through to the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic in New Zealand after a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory over Petra Marcinko in Auckland.

The Filipina tennis ace needed just a little below one hour and three minutes to grab the victory, which set her quarterfinal date against either Magda Linette or Elisabette Cocciaretto. “I’m very happy with the match, different conditions from the night session that I played the other day. Overall, a great level,” Eala said after the match, as posted on the ASB Classic website. “I think she had great shots, and at one point it became close, but I’m happy pulling off the win.

After getting the bagel in the first set, Eala continued on in the second set, winning the first game before dropping the second one. The Croatian then took the 2-1 lead, but the fourth-seeded star from the Philippines blanked her opponent all the way through. “It’s never easy. The further they go, the harder it is to come back. But she kept fighting, and I just had to stay there and be solid,” Eala continued.

Editor's note:

Alex Eala and Iva Jovic are heading to the ASB Classic women’s doubles’ semifinals via walkover. The duo were supposed to take on Jesika Maleckova and Renata Zarazua in the quarterfinal, but instead, they punched a ticket to the semis. Eala and Jovic will now take on the third-seeded duo of Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan in the semifinals, set on Saturday. The American-Filipina pair previously defeated Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina via straight-sets in the round of 16. Earlier Thursday, Eala defeated Croatia’s Petra Marcinko, 6-0, 6-2, in singles’ action to also punch a quarterfinal ticket. The World No. 53 pride of the Philippines will take on Magda Linette, who just defeated Elisabetta Cocciaretto in a grueling three-setter, in the quarters set also on Saturday.

Source: philstar.com