Zapopan: Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala defeated Italian Nicole Fossa Huergo, 7-6 (2), 6-2, Friday morning (Manila time) to reach the Guadalajara 125 Open semifinal at the Panamerican Tennis Center hardcourt in Zapopan, Mexico.

According to Philippines News Agency, the second-seeded Eala is set to face American Kayla Day in the semifinals. Day ousted third seed and world's No. 84 Emiliana Arango of Colombia, 7-5, 6-2, in the other quarterfinal match of the tournament, also known as the Abierto Zapopan.

Eala, ranked No. 75 in the world, has had an impressive run in the tournament so far. She defeated Dutch player Arianne Hartono, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round, and overcame American Varvara Lepchenko, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-3 in the second round.

Meanwhile, the other semifinal match will feature Russian Maria Kozyreva against Hungarian Panna Udvardy. Kozyreva secured her spot by defeating American Alana Smith, 7-6 (10), 6-4. Udvardy made it to the semifinals by overcoming fourth seed British player Francesca Jones, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

The tournament saw an unexpected early exit for top seed Russian Kamilla Rakhimova, who was eliminated by 2020 Australian Open Junior champion Victoria Jimenez Kasintsev of Andorra, with scores of 1-6, 6-7 (2), in the first round.