Alex Eala to face Varvara Gracheva in Eastbourne Open semis

Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 24, 2025 Philippines' Alex Eala during her round of 64 match against Poland's Iga Swiatek REUTERS/Juan Medina

Alex Eala inched closer to the Eastbourne Open finals as she booked a semis slot after dispatching Dayana Yastremska in the quarterfinals, 6-1, 6-2, of the said tournament on Thursday.

In the semifinals, Eala will face a familiar foe in Varvara Gracheva of France.

Gracheva is currently ranked no. 111 by the Women's Tennis Association, although the 24-year old player reached a career-high ranking of no. 39 back in January last year. Eala, meanwhile, is currently ranked 74.

Eala and Gracheva faced off just two weeks ago in the first round of the Nottingham Open qualifiers where the Filipina defeated the latter, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Gracheva is the taller player at 5-foot-10, while Eala is at 5-foot-9. Eala is left-handed while Gracheva is a right-handed player.

Eala and Gracheva will face off tonight at 6 p.m.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News

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