Eala rolls on, repeats over Alba

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina wunderkind Alex Eala smashed Spanish rival Alba Carrillo Marin for the second time in three months, fashioning out a 6-2, 6-3 win to advance to the quarterfinals of the W15 Manacor ITF second leg in Mallorca, Spain yesterday.

Eala stayed on a roll with her powerful returns and resilience in rallies, breezing past Alba for a crack at the semis either against Swiss Ylena In-Albon or Dutch Suzan Lamens.

Over in Castellon last November, Eala also humbled Alba, 7-6 (2), 6-1.

The 15-year-old Filipina was more vicious in their rematch, riding the momentum of a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 conquest of second seed Swede Mirjam Bjorklund in the first round.

With pinpoint shots from the baseline and on her occasional net attacks, Eala surged from 1-2 down in the second set en route to the win she completed in one hour and 23 minutes.

She set the tone of her domination in breaking Alba at love in the first game.

Then after Alba broke back, Eala scored another game point on a fightback from 0-40.

And it’s a coast from there for the cool but power-smashing Filipina.