MANILA – Alexandra Eala stormed into the quarterfinals of the Philippine Women’s Open after posting an impressive straight-sets victory over Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume last night at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The second seed showcased her form with a 6-4, 6-0 win, taking full control of the match after a tightly contested opening set.
Eala dominated the second set, not allowing Sakatsume any room to recover.
She finished with 67 total points compared to Sakatsume’s 46 and converted five of seven break-point opportunities. Her strong return game proved crucial as she collected 30 receiving points, repeatedly putting pressure on her opponent’s service games.
After an exchange of holds in the first set, Eala caught fire in the second, winning nine consecutive games to close out the match and secure her place in the round of eight.
Eala, the lone Filipina still standing in the women’s singles draw of the tournament, will next face Camila Osorio of Colombia in the round-of-eight tonight.
Meanwhile, the campaign ended for the remaining Filipina doubles pairs in the round of 32 following separate straight-set losses.
Tennielle Madis and Stefi Marithe Aludo bowed out after being swept by veteran Japanese duo Kanako Morisaki and Manu Ayukawa, 6-2, 6-2, in a match that lasted just 58 minutes.
Madis and Aludo acknowledged the difference in competition at the WTA level compared to the tournaments they are used to.
Rovie Baulete and Elizabeth Abarquez also failed to advance after losing to the tandem of Japan’s Hiroko Kuwata and China’s Ye Qiyu, 6-0, 6-2.
The Kuwata-Ye pair controlled the match from start to finish, quickly taking the first set before sealing the win in the second./PN
