Alex Eala prevailed in her rain-halted encounter with Varvara Lepchenko of the United States, 6-7(3), 7-6(3), 6-3, on early Friday, Manila time.
The 20-year old Eala, whose match with Lepchenko got stopped in the fifth game of the third set, won the sixth game following two deuces, to break Lepchenko’s serve, during their the second round encounter the WTA 125 Guadalajara Open in Mexico.
After that, the second seeded Eala held serve twice to advance to the quarterfinal round.
Eala, now the highest seeded player in the tournament, following the early exit of world No. 65 Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia, in the first round, was done after nine minutes into the match’s resumption.
The 39-year old Lepchenko was unable to score on any break point during their encounter for a total of three hours and five minutes.
With the victory, Eala has reached the quarterfinals and will meet Italian netter Nicole Fossa Huergo.
The world no. 262-ranked Huergo arranged a clash with Eala after she put away Polish foe Katarzyna Kawa, 7-6(2), 6-0, 6-1.
Third seed Emiliana Arango of Colombia held her ground to dispose of Russian rival Elena Pridankina, 7-6(8-6), 6-1, to join Eala in the quarterfinals.
Eala could be Arango’s next opponent, should the Filipina netter and Arango win in the quarterfinals.
