By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala trounced American Amy Zhu, 6-4, 6-3, and barged into the quarterfinals of the W25 El Espinar/Segovia International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament Wednesday in Spain.
The 17-year-old Eala, seeded fourth in the $25,000 event, dominated her rival with her strong baseline game to set up a meeting with sixth seed Rosa Vicens Mas of Spain.
Vicens Mas had an easier time disposing of Italy’s Verena Meliss, 6-4, 6-0.
Prior to winning over Zhu, Eala thumped Maria Bondarenko, 6-4, 6-3, in the opening round.
This was Eala’s 15th tournament this year as she aims for a second title and third overall after winning the W25 Chiang Rai ITF event in Thailand last April.
Her first title came last year at the W15 Manacor event in Spain.
Meanwhile, Eala posted a new career-high ranking of No. 282 following semifinal finish at the W60 Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain.
She improved by 35 notches after being ranked No. 317 last week.
