Eala advances to Hong Kong Tennis Open semis

Alex Eala outlasted world No. 81 Antonia Ruzic of Croatia, 7-6, 7-5, to advance to the semifinal of the Hong Kong Tennis Open on Friday.

The 21-year-old Filipina needed two hours and 30 minutes to overcome Ruzic and extend her run in the WTA 250 tournament.

“It was a roller coaster, for sure, and an incredible battle, so I don't know what inspired me or kept me to continue digging deeper, but Antonia played a really amazing match, and I'm blessed to be able to play another round here,” Eala said.

“I think more than staying focused, it was just choosing to push through and give everything that I have.”

The two traded holds through the first six games before Ruzic broke Eala to take a 4-3 lead.

Eala answered with a break to level the set at 4-4, but the Croatian broke again and moved ahead, 5-4, before the set went to a tiebreak.

Eala raced to a 5-0 lead in the tiebreak, only for Ruzic to fight back and take a 7-6 advantage. The Filipina regained control, winning the next three points to take the tiebreak, 9-7, and the opening set.

Eala again had to rally in the second set after falling behind, 4-5. She held serve to draw level before breaking Ruzic in the 11th game and serving out the match, 7-5.

Eala will next face world No. 30 Maria Sakkari of Greece in the semifinals on Saturday at 3:10 p.m. (Manila time).