Alex Eala headlines the Birmingham Open semifinal on Saturday, taking on Rebeka Masarova after a straight-sets win over Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6-3, 6-2.
Birmingham’s courts will feel the pressure fast on Saturday. Alex Eala, riding momentum after her latest win, lines up for a semifinal against Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova—one match away from the Birmingham Open final.
Eala reached that semifinal spot by ousting Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. The scoreline did not come from an easy run; she had to fight through a tough challenge before she found her rhythm in both sets.
The turning point arrived in the second set. After Sawangkaew took a 2-1 lead, Eala strung together five straight games. By the time the final point was played, the match had taken one hour and 21 minutes.
That stretch set up what’s next: Eala now faces Rebeka Masarova for a place in the Birmingham Open final. The semifinal is scheduled for June 6, Saturday, at 6:00 p.m.
Alex Eala Rebeka Masarova Birmingham Open WTA semifinal Mananchaya Sawangkaew