ALEX Eala advanced to the quarterfinals of the women’s singles tennis event without lifting a racquet in the 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games after receiving a first-round bye.
The 20-year-old Filipina, ranked No. 52 in the world and the highest-ranked player in the field, will face the winner of the match between Malaysia’s Shihomi Leong and Laos’ Aliya Vongdala in the second round.
Her former tormentor and fellow rising star Janice Tjen of Indonesia, the world No. 53, also drew a bye as the women’s singles draw featured limited entries.
Meanwhile, in mixed doubles, Eala and partner Francis Alcantara likewise secured a first-round bye.
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Eala is aiming to improve on her bronze-medal finish in the previous SEA Games.
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