Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala will look to continue her strong run of form when she faces Japan’s Mei Yamaguchi in the Round of 32 of the WTA 125 Jingshan Tennis Open.
The 20-year-old top seed, ranked world No. 58, opened her campaign with a composed 6-3, 7-5 victory over Belarusian qualifier Aliona Falei on Tuesday, sealing the match with a string of well-timed service winners. The win underlined Eala’s growing reputation as one of Asia’s most promising young players.
Yamaguchi, 26, enters the contest with newfound momentum after a difficult stretch in recent months. The world No. 268 advanced by defeating Hong Kong’s Hong Yi Cody Wong 6-4, 6-1 in the opening round. The clash against Eala will be the first career meeting between the two players.
A win would send Eala into the Round of 16, where she will meet either China’s Jia Lu or India’s Riya Bhatia. Lu battled past Ekaterina Reyngold 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, while Bhatia stunned fifth seed Xinyu Gao 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.
Elsewhere, third seed Lulu Sun of Switzerland moved through to the next round with a straightforward 6-3, 6-2 victory over Italy’s Tyra Grant.
Eala, a former US Open junior doubles champion, has enjoyed a steady climb in the rankings this year and is aiming for her second career title on the WTA 125 circuit.
