Alex Eala hammers win over Linda Noskova to reach French Open Juniors semifinals

Alex Eala reached the semifinals of the French Open Juniors after surviving a challenge from Linda Noskova of Czech Republic, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, on Thursday.

Noskova broke Eala's serve to take the first set, but the Filipina roared back with a 3-0 lead in the second frame and responded in kind to force the decider.

She then leapt into a 5-2 lead in the third set and earned three matchpoints in the final game, needing every one of them to close out the Czech challenger.

The no. 2 seed advanced to the final eight after beating Leyre Romero Gormaz of Spain in the third round.

Eala faced a test in the second round against Mara Guth of Germany, but she prevailed in three sets after cruising past Natalia Szabanin of Hungary in her first match.

The juniors world no. 4 also saw action in doubles, but she and partner Elvina Kalieva of the United States lost in the first round.

Earlier in the year, she won the Australian Open juniors doubles title with Indonesian partner Priska Madelyn Nugroho. 

Eala, who attends the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, is the only Asian in the Roland Garros girls' singles draw. —MGP, GMA News