Eala powers way to Canberra Last 8

MANILA, Philippines —  Australian Open-bound Alex Eala started the New Year with a bang, barging into the quarterfinals of the Workday Canberra International yesterday.

The 19-year-old Filipina sensation made short work of Dutch ace Arianne Hortono, 6-3, 6-3, to carry over her winning streak from the tailend of 2024.

Eala previously drubbed Austria’s Sinja Kraus, 6-2, 6-4, in the Round of 32 of the main draw after ruling the qualifying round.

Seeded as No. 1 in the qualifiers, the lefty standout took care of business against home bets Catherine Aulia, 6-1, 6-2, and, Alana Subasic, 5-7, 6-0, 6-1.

And there’s no stopping Eala from there, connecting on four aces to dispatch Hortono in only 70 minutes of play to make it to the Top 8.

Over in Brisbane, Australian wildcard Kimberly Birrell stunned second seed Emma Navarro on Wednesday while the doubles act of Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios came to a shuddering halt at the Brisbane International.

Djokovic and Kyrgios teamed up for a rare doubles appearance this week, but after winning a close first round were stopped by top seeds Michael Venus of New Zealand and Croatia’s Nikola Mektic 6-2, 3-6, 10/8.

But it was all smiles from defending men’s champion Grigor Dimitrov, who powered into the quarterfinals in straight sets.

In the opening match on Pat Rafter Arena, Birrell matched world number eight Navarro stroke-for-stroke to put a dent in the American’s Australian Open preparations.

Navarro had a stellar 2024, going deep in all four Grand Slams including a run to the semi-finals of the US Open.

She was expected to brush aside the challenge of 26-year-old Birrell, who has never broken into the top 100 in her 10 years on the WTA Tour.