By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala outlasted American qualifier Alana Smith, 6-4, 6-4, to barge into the quarterfinals of the W25 Madrid International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament in Spain Friday, June 9.
The third-seeded Eala came through with an array of wicked shots to down her rival, whom she met for the second time in an ITF event following her 6-0, 6-0 blanking in the W80 Rancho Santa Fe in California last year.
The win arranged Eala a quarters date with another American in fifth seed Makenna Jones, who survived compatriot Dalayna Hewitt, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
This marks be the first time that Eala would face Jones in an ITF tournament.
Eala opened up her campaign with a 6-3, 7-6 (8) win over American Jessica Failla to meet Smith in the second round.
The 18-year-old Filipina tennis sensation guns for back-to-back titles after capturing the W25 Yecla crown also in Spain last week.
Overall, Eala now has three titles under her belt as she also aims to improve her ITF ranking of No. 266.
She went as high as No. 214 in October last year.
