FILE–Filipino tennis player Alex Eala. –AP PHOTO
Filipino tennis star Alex Eala defeated Lizette Cabrera of Australia, 7-6 (4), 6-3, on Wednesday to reach the round of 16 at the WTA 125 Lexus Ilkley Open.
Eala took the opening set in a tiebreak and picked up steam in the second to close out Cabrera, who is of Filipino descent, on Center Court.
READ: Alex Eala vows comeback after French Open singles loss
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The win comes after Eala’s first-round exit in the Lexus Birmingham Open earlier this month. These tournaments are part of Eala’s grass court build-up ahead of the Wimbledon, where she is guaranteed a spot.
The premier tennis tournament begins June 30.
Eala, currently ranked 77 in the world, last month suffered a first-round loss in her French Open singles’ main draw debut. She won her first assignment in the doubles tournament.
She will face Valentina Ryser of Switzerland in the Ilkley Open next round on Thursday.
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