AFTER more than a week out of action, Alex Eala resumed her campaign on a strong note yesterday (Tuesday in North America), reasserting her mastery over Dutchwoman Arianne Hartono 6-2, 6-2 at the start of the WTA 125 Abierto Sapopan Open at the Panamerican Tennis Center in Zapopan, Mexico.
Seeded second in the tournament, Eala needed only one hour and nine minutes at Grandstand Caliente to achieve her fourth straight victory over Hartono and advance to the round of 16.
She earned a spot in the next round against Uzbek-born American Varvara Lepchenko, ranked No. 122 in the world and the oldest competitor in the field at 39.
Lepchenko, whose greatest achievement was reaching the fourth round of the women’s singles of the 2012 French Open, subdued Briton Maddison English 6-4, 6-1 in her opening-round match.
Currently ranked No. 75 in the WTA world ratings, Eala was scheduled to face the well-traveled Lepchenko at 3:20 a.m. today for a spot in the quarterfinals.
