TENNIS: Alex Eala trounces Petra Marcinko, advances to ASB Classic quarterfinals

MANILA - Alex Eala has reached the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic women's singles in Auckland, New Zealand after routing Croatian Petra Marcinko in straight sets, 6-0, 6-2, January 8.

The WTA world number 53 Eala showed her dominance early by blanking the world number 82 Marcinko in the first set. Marcinko led 2-1 in the second the set but Eala rallied and scored five straight games to book herself into the quarterfinals.

It only took 63 minutes for Eala to wrap up her match against Marcinko who was a contemporary of Eala in the world juniors. Marchinko was a former junior number one. This is their first match as professionals.

Eala and doubles partner American Iva Jovic will face Jesika Maleckova of the Czech Republic and Renata Zarazua of Mexico tomorrow, January 9, in the quarterfinals.

In their previous match, the youthful duo of Eala and Jovic defeated former world number one Venus Williams and former world number three Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.

Riz Pulumbarit/PARALUMAN News