By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala finally found an antidote and beat former doubles partner Oksana Selekhmeteva, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4), to barge into the quarterfinals of the Cary Tennis Classic in North Carolina on Wednesday, Aug. 15.
In a tense duel, the 19-year-old Eala proved to be sharper and steadier than the Russian netter particularly in the crunch to inch closer to the title in this W100 International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament.
This marks the first victory for Eala against Selekhmeteva after losing three in a row in the ITF circuit including in their last meeting at the W60 Canberra in Australia where the Filipina standout bowed in three sets in the second qualifying round.
It also helped that Eala was familiar with Selekhmeteva after the two paired up in their junior years to win the 2021 French Open Girls Doubles crown.
Up next for Eala is second seed Renata Zarazua of Mexico, who downed China’s Wei Sijia, 6-4, 7-6 (1).
This is also the first time that Eala would be meeting Zarazua in the ITF circuit, with the Mexican boasting of a Women’s Tennis Association WTA) ranking at No. 104.
Zarazua also made it as far as the Round of 64 in the 2020 French Open and has competed in the main draw of the last three Grand Slams this year.
