Top-seed Alex Eala continued her impressive run in China, rallying past home bet Jia-Jing Lu, 6-4, 6-1, to advance to the semifinals of the Jingshan Open.
Eala was cheered on by a lively Centre Court crowd as she weathered a 2-4 deficit in the first set.
The Filipina star held firm in a crucial service game, saving a break point to stay within reach.
From there, she broke back at 4-all after a string of unforced errors from Lu and rode the momentum to take the first set, 6-4.
In the second set, Lu briefly gained the upper hand with an opening break, but Eala immediately responded with sharper, more aggressive shot-making.
The 20-year-old Alex raced through five straight games, dictating from the baseline and moving in for winners to close out the match, 6-4, 6-1.
With the victory, Eala clinched her spot in the semifinals where she will face third-seed Lulu Sun of New Zealand.
Sun is currently ranked World No. 146 but reached a career-high ranking of No. 39 in September 2024. She holds a 13–23 record this season and defeated Eala in the third round of Wimbledon qualifying last year, 7-6, 7-5.
The semifinal showdown will give Eala a chance to avenge that loss as she aims for her first Jingshan Open final.
RELATED VIDEOS: