Eala, Tjen book Abu Dhabi Open semis seats

Alex Eala and Janice Tjen of Indonesia remain on the hunt for the Abu Dhabi Open women’s doubles as they defeated Zhang Shuai of China and Cristina Bucsa of Spain, 6-3, 6-3 at the Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre on Friday (Manila time).

The Southeast Asian duo needed one hour and six minutes to advance to the next stage of this Women’s Tennis Association 500 competition.

It was a morale booster for Eala after getting knocked out by world No. 11 Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia, 3-6, 3-6, in the women’s singles hours before her doubles match with Tjen.

Eala and Tjen will next face the fourth-seed pair of Tereza Mihalikova of Slovakia and Olivia Nicholls of Great Britain at 8 p.m. (Manila time) on Friday at the same venue.

Should they prevail, Eala and Tjen will face the winner between American netters Sofia Kenin and Desirae Krawcyzk and Alexandrova and Maya Joint of Australia.