Alex Eala's road to Guadalajara 125 Open finals

Alex Eala will shoot for a historic breakthrough WTA title when she locks horns with Hungary’s Panna Udvardy in the Guadalajara 125 Open finals set early Sunday (Philippine time) in Mexico.

Here’s a quick look at how Eala navigated the tournament to book a spot in the finals:

Alex Eala def. Arianne Hartono (Round of 32)

Eala, seeded second entering the tournament, had to face a familiar face right on the first day as she took on Arianne Hartono of the Netherlands in the Round of 32. Familiarity did wonders for the Filipina tennis star, cruising to a 6-2, 6-2 win to mark her return since her US Open main draw debut.

That victory stretched Eala’s dominance over Hartono to 4-0, having defeated her in all their previous three encounters.

Alex Eala def. Varvara Lepchenko (Round of 16)

Rain interrupted Eala’s Round of 16 duel with world No. 122 Varvara Lepchenko of the USA, forcing a one-day delay with the Filipina clinging to a slim 6(3)-7, 7-6(3), 3-2 lead over the 39-year-old veteran.

But that didn't dampen Ealas momentum as she eventually claimed a  6(3)-7, 7-6(3), 6-3 victory to move forward in the contest.

Alex Eala def. Nicole Fossa Huergo (Quarterfinals)

Hours after ousting the American bet, Eala booted out another veteran foe in Nicole Fossa Huergo of Italy during their quarterfinals bout with Eala surviving a grueling Set 1 en route to a 7-6(2), 6-2 triumph to reach the semifinals.

Alex Eala def. Kayla Day (Semifinals)

There was no stopping Eala from then on as the 20-year-old bet pulled off a 6-2, 6-3 masterclass, this time against the 25-year-old Kayla Day in their semifinals battle to clinch a finals berth. 

That victory booked Eala’s second WTA finals appearance, where she hopes to finally clinch the title after falling short in her last one during the Eastbourne Open finals last June.—JMB, GMA Integrated News