Eala, Russian partner coast to French Open Girls’ Doubles quarters

MANILA, Philippines — Fortune continues to favor Alex Eala in the French Open Girls’ Doubles tournament following her shock exit in the Girls’ Singles competition.

Eala and Russian partner Oksana Selehkmeteva dominated anew on Tuesday when they made quick work of Sofia Costoulas and Laura Hietaranta, 6-3, 6-1, in the second round.

After trailing early, 1-2, in the opening set, the first-seeded pair won four straight games to swing momentum to their side, 5-2.

While their opponents stopped the bleeding in the eighth game, Eala and Selekhmeteva broke Costoulas and Hietaranta’s serve to draw first blood.

In the second set, it was all Eala and Selekhmeteva as they took a huge 4-0 lead before their opponents took a game back.

The deficit proved too big as the 16-year-old Pinay and Selekhmeteva cruised to the win.

They now enter the quarterfinals of the tournament. Eala has the chance to win her second Grand Slam Girls’ Doubles title after winning in the Australian Open in 2020 with Indon partner Priska Nugroho.