Alex Eala reaches Mubadala DC Open quarterfinals after beating Leylah Fernandez

MANILA — Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala advanced to the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C., after defeating defending champion and No. 7 seed Leylah Fernandez, 6-1, 7-6 (2), on Thursday.

The victory avenged Eala’s previous loss to the Canadian, who beat her 6-1, 6-4 in the first round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on clay in Stuttgart, Germany, on April 14.

"I know that she was playing a little better, and maybe my level dropped a little bit," Eala said during her post-match interview, referring to Fernandez’s second-set comeback.

"Those are very tricky moments, when you know your level has dropped and you want to do better, but things for one reason or another just aren’t coming out. I think patience was key there, just trying to work it out, and a strong mentality in terms of trying to find solutions," added the 21-year-old Filipino.

Eala, who recently stunned former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the third round of Wimbledon, will next face the winner between Ukrainian second seed Elina Svitolina and Uzbek qualifier Polina Kudermetova.

Svitolina received a first-round bye, while Kudermetova advanced after rallying past Spain’s Cristina Busca, 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-0.

Meanwhile, 2022 champion Liudmila Samsonova secured a spot in the quarterfinals after defeating Wang Xinyu, 6-2, 6-2.

The tournament features a total prize pool of $1,637,982.

In the singles competition, the champion will earn 500 ranking points and $252,000 in prize money, while the finalist will receive 325 points and $155,000. Semifinalists will earn 195 points and $90,900, quarterfinalists will receive 108 points and $47,750, and second-round winners will collect 60 points and $24,474. First-round participants will receive one ranking point and $17,440.

For doubles, the champion will earn 500 ranking points and $83,500, while the finalist will receive 325 points and $50,790. Semifinalists will get 195 points and $29,490, quarterfinalists will receive 108 points and $15,140, and first-round participants will earn one point and $9,210. (PNA) -Philippine News Agency