AdeAlex Eala Battles Past Minnen to Reach Suzhou Quarterfinals
Alexandra “Alex” Eala once again showcased her trademark resilience today, storming into the quarterfinals of the WTA 125 Suzhou Open after outlasting Belgium’s Greet Minnen in a dramatic three-set battle. The Filipina star, just 20 years old, fought for every point in a match that lasted nearly three hours before sealing a 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 7-5 victory.
This was not an easy outing for the world No. 58, who came into the tournament as the fourth seed. The encounter against Minnen was intense from the first ball. Eala grabbed the opening set in a tiebreak, keeping her composure under pressure and executing well in the crucial rallies. But Minnen, ranked outside the Top 100 but with plenty of WTA experience, refused to back down. She turned the tide in the second set, forcing errors from Eala’s racket and stealing the set in another tight tiebreak.
With the match tied at one set apiece, the final frame became a battle of nerves and stamina. Both players traded service holds and appeared inseparable at 5-all. This was the turning point. Eala showed maturity beyond her years, pouncing on Minnen’s lapses to break serve and give herself the chance to close it out. Serving for the match, the young Filipina held steady and completed the victory to the delight of her supporters.
This win comes just two days after her hard-fought triumph over Poland’s Katarzyna Kawa in the opening round, where she also needed three sets to advance. That back-to-back success under pressure underlines a key trait in her game: it’s hard to keep Alex Eala down. Whether facing rain delays, tiebreak battles, or momentum swings, she finds a way to fight back and finish strong.
Eala’s progress to the last eight sets up a mouthwatering clash with Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic, currently ranked world No. 70. Golubic is known for her consistency and tactical play, which means Eala will once again need to summon her best tennis if she hopes to push deeper into the draw.
Beyond the tournament itself, this win further cements Eala’s rising profile in international tennis. She already made history earlier this year with her first WTA 125 title in Guadalajara, Mexico, and she has steadily climbed the rankings with consistent results. Every match she wins not only boosts her confidence but also raises the flag for Philippine tennis on the global stage.
With her grit, heart, and relentless will to compete, Alex Eala continues to inspire fans at home and abroad. And if today’s battle is anything to go by, her journey in Suzhou may just be heating up.
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John Owolabi
Musa
