Eala blasts Jones, opens HK campaign on high note

Alex Eala opened her Hong Kong Tennis Open campaign with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over lucky loser Emerson Jones of Australia on Tuesday to advance to the Round of 16.

Eala needed one hour and 23 minutes to beat Jones, who replaced world No. 59 Alycia Parks of the United States in this Women’s Tennis Association 250 tournament.

The Filipina made a strong start, racing to a 4-0 lead in the opening set after breaking Jones twice.

Jones fought back with consecutive breaks to close the gap to 4-3, but Eala regained control with two more breaks to take the set, 6-4.

Eala carried her momentum into the second set, breaking Jones in the third game to build a 4-1 lead.

She broke again for 5-1 and, despite surrendering her serve in the seventh game, held firm to close out the match, 6-3.

Eala will next face world No. 85 Tereza Valentova of the Czech Republic on Thursday.