By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense tennis standout Alexandra Eala moved on to the next round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship after her opponent, Hailey Baptiste of the United States, retired due to an injury in Dubai, United Arab Emirates yesterday (Philippine time).

Eala was leading 6-4, 0-1 when Baptiste was forced to stop due to an abdomen injury, sending the 20-year-old Filipina through to the next stage where she is set to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.

The No. 40-ranked Filipina tennis star showed solid form early, taking the first set behind steady serving and strong returns.

Match statistics showed Eala winning 77 percent of her first serves and collecting 22 receiving points, highlighting her effectiveness on both ends before the match was cut short.

Despite advancing, Eala admitted the circumstances were not ideal, but remains grateful for the opportunity to continue competing at a high level like the WTA 1000 tournament.

“No one wants to advance in the next round like this,” Eala said.

“But I am super happy to be in the next round. These tournaments are best experience for me and playing in front of the best crowd,” she added.

Eala will now prepare for a tougher challenge against Paolini, one of the tournament’s top players, as she continues her campaign in Dubai./ASC, WDJ