MANILA – Second seed Filipino Alexandra Eala secured a quarterfinal berth in WTA 250 Prudential Hong Kong Open after beating Czech Tereza Valentova, 6-4, 7-6 (7-0), Thursday night at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium outdoor hardcourt.
The victory set her up against Croatian Antonia Ruzic, who ousted sixth seed Chinese Xinyu Wang, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
Eala, currently No. 17 in the world, defeated Australian Emerson Jones, 6-4, 6-3, in the first round.
Jones entered the main draw as a lucky loser, replacing American Alycia Parks, who withdrew due to a right shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, fourth seed Greek Maria Sakkari pulled off a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Australian Maya Joint to advance against Aliaksandra Sasnovich, who toppled fifth seed Australian Talia Gibson, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (7).
American Claire Liu eliminated No. 8 British Katie Boulter, 7-5, 6-4, to set up a quarterfinal duel with Turkish Zeynep Sonmez, who conquered British Mika Stojsavljevic, 7-6 (5), 6-4.
Alexandra Shubladze, who beat Elena Pridankina, 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-3, will face the winner of a match between top seed Romanian Sorana Cirstea and American Mary Stoiana.
The Hong Kong Open is being held simultaneously with WTA 250 Chennai Open in India.
These are the last two tournaments on the WTA Tour before the WTA Finals, which will start on Nov. 8 at Indian Wells. (Jean Malanum/PNA)
