FILE–Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns the ball to Poland’s Magda Linette during the Nottingham Open tennis championships in Nottingham, England, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
Alex Eala advanced to the quarterfinals of the Lexus Eastbourne Open after third seed Jelena Ostapenko retired due to injury late Wednesday (Manila time).
Leading 3-2 in the third set, Eala scored a repeat over her Latvian foe with Ostapenko unable to continue after injuring her left ankle earlier in the match.
READ: Alex Eala set for Wimbledon stint
The Filipino tennis ace had to battle back from a disastrous first set, where the world No. 20 dominated 6-0. Eala recovered with a 6-2 second-set victory to force a decider.
Wishing you a speedy recovery Jelena 💚
Alex Eala advances to the quarterfinals after Ostapenko retires due to injury.#LexusEastbourneOpen pic.twitter.com/xZ3EnrOSyB
— wta (@WTA) June 25, 2025
“It’s never a good feeling to finish a match like that,” Eala said after the match. “I hope everything’s okay with her because it was a really tough battle today, and I think both of us were on the brink, you know It could have been anyone’s match.”
“So I wish her a speedy recovery and I’m super happy to be able to play again in this beautiful place.”
READ: Alex Eala dominates to begin main draw bid at Eastbourne Open
Eala first beat Ostapenko as part of her historic Miami Open run in March.
She is deep in her build-up for her 2025 Wimbledon main draw debut set for next week.
The World No. 74 opened her Eastbourne Open campaign with a dominant win over Lucia Bronzetti on Monday.
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