Alex Eala braces for test against home bet Jia Jing Lu in Jingshan Open quarters

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala continues her deep run in the WTA 125 Jingshan Open as she collides with Chinese veteran Jia Jing Lu in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Eala, 20, world No. 58 and one of the fastest-rising names in women’s tennis, faces a contrasting challenge in Lu, 35, a battle-tested home crowd favorite who once reached as high as No. 162 in the rankings. It will be the first career meeting between the two.

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Both players stormed into the last eight with authority. Eala has been flawless so far, not dropping a set in her opening matches, including a 6-0, 6-3 rout of Japan’s Mei Yamaguchi, before opening the Asian swing with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Belarusian Aliona Falei.

The Chinese veteran meanwhile, drew energy from the home crowd and dismissed India’s Riya Bhatia in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0, then battled through three tight sets against Ekaterina Reyngold, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4, to secure a spot in the last eight.

Though Eala enters as the higher-ranked and sharper player, Lu’s wealth of experience—and the home-court advantage—make her a dangerous opponent.

The clash is set for later today, at 11:00 a.m. Manila time, with a semifinal berth on the line. 

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