Third seeded Filipina Alex Eala battled Argentinian netter Julia Riera for 77 minutes before seizing a 6-1, 6-4, triumph on Thursday morning (Manila) in the women’s singles second action of the 2025 Sao Paolo Open Tennis Championships in Brazil.
The 20-year old Eala scored 17 points off 39 return shots hurdling her second round encounter with Riera at the Parque Villa-Lobos hardcourt.
This put the world no. 61 Eala in the quarterfinals with second seed Argentinian Solana Sierra, no. 5 seed Mexican Renata Zarazua and sixth seeded Australian Francesca Jones.
“It’s an amazing atmosphere,” said Eala, who appreciated the fans who came to watch and support her.
Eala quickly moved away in the first set, taking a 4-0 advantage, after putting pressure on Riera with her steady baseline game.
She broke serve twice, first in the second game of the first set, when Riera sent out a wide crosscourt return shot, following three deuces.
In taking a four-game lead, Eala won the game when attacked the net and unloaded a short forehand shot to the back, and Riera later netted a forehand return to hand the Filipina the point.
In the second set, Eala broke off a 2-all deadlock by taking the next two game points.
At 3-2, Eala broke serve after Riera sent out a long forehand volley return shot, and committed a backhand net miscue.
In taking a 4-2 spread, Eala went 40-0, off a pair of Riera’s errors with her returns.
Eala held serve in the 10th, taking the win when she attacked the net and hit a drop shot.
This gave a 2-1 lead in her personal head-to-head with Riera, whom she beat, 6-3, 6-1, in the round of 32 of the ITF/USTA W100 event in Cary, North Carolina last August.
