Alexandra Eala needed just over an hour to book a place in her fourth career WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz quarterfinal, routing Petra Marcinko 6-0, 6-2 on Thursday at the ASB Classic.
Auckland: Scores | Schedule | Draws
Though fourth-seeded Eala and the unseeded Marcinko were peers as juniors — the Filipina is just seven months older than the Croatian, who was ranked World No. 1 in juniors — the second-round clash in New Zealand was their first-ever singles meeting at either the international junior or professional level. And she hardly let up after jumping out to an early lead to seal her place in the last eight in just 63 minutes.
“I’m so happy with how I was able to compete and handle the different situations on court,” Eala, who needed 2 hours and 40 minutes to win her opening match, said afterwards. “Every start of the year comes differently: new year, new story, and that goes for everybody.
“I’m happy with how I’m starting … it’s difficult, everyone at this level gives you certain challenges, but again, I’m happy with how I’m playing.”
Other key figures from Eala’s victory included:
2: Eala is now 2-0 against players from Croatia at WTA main-draw level in her career. Her first win came just Tuesday against Donna Vekic.
6: Eala was a perfect 6-for-6 on break-point opportunities in the match. She also faced six break points herself, but saved five of them.
7: The World No. 53 started the match by winning the first seven games. She ended the match by winning six in a row, from an early break deficit at 2-1.
More to come…
