Alex Eala advanced to the Round of 16 of the W75 Croissy-Beaubourg after ripping hometown bet Emeline Dartron, 6-3, 6-4, at the Comité Départemental de Tennis de Seine & Marne in France late Tuesday (Manila time).
Eala, currently at No. 171 in the Women's Tennis Association rankings, only needed one hour and 16 minutes to seal her spot in the Last 16 of the tournaments which boasts a prize pot of $60,000.
With the victory, the Rafael Nadal Academy graduate completed her recovery from a 6-2, 5-7, 1-6 loss to Emiliana Arango of Colombia in the second qualifying round of the Miami Open last week.
Eala is battling against Mona Berthel of Germany in the Last 16 at press time for a win that will put her on track for her fifth professional singles title.
Eala's latest singles title was back in August in the W25 Roehampton in the United Kingdom while her recent doubles win was at the W50 Pune in India last January.
On the same note, Eala teaming up with French netter Estelle Cascino as they face the tandem of Celine Naef of Switzerland and Prarthana Thombare of India in the Round of 16 of the women's doubles event.
