KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

Alex Eala overcame a second set stumble and turned back Argentine qualifier Lucia Peyre, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, to barge into the final of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) W25 Yecla tournament in Spain Saturday, June 3.

After a sizzling start, the second-seeded Eala was overpowered by her 17-year-old rival in the second set with fierce shots to force a decider.

Eala, however, did not lose hope, coming through with a series of well-angled shots, especially in the crucial 9^th game to finally disarm Peyre.

The victory arranged the 18-year-old Eala championship date with unseeded Valentina Ryser of Switzerland, who also needed an extra set in stunning fourth pick Eva Guerrero Alvarez of Spain, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (4), 6-4.

Though Eala has a higher ITF ranking of No. 266 compared to the Swiss’ No. 560, Ryser appears more dangerous as she boasts of shocking top seed Sakura Hosogi of Japan in the quarterfinals, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-1.

The 22-year-old Ryser also has three pro titles tucked under her belt, including the W15 Manacor in Spain just last February.

Eala, for her part, is still searching for a third pro crown since winning the W25 Chiang Rai in Thailand last year.

This was so far Eala’s best performance following a quarters showing in W25 Monastir last month.