By Rivals-turned-partners Alex Eala and Janice Tjen showcased Southeast Asian pride, surviving a tense battle to defeat Leylah Fernandez and Kristina Mladenovic, 7-5, 3-6, 10-6, in the Abu Dhabi Open doubles round of 16 late Tuesday.
Filipina tennis star Eala and Indonesian ace Tjen, who had battled it out in a previous meeting during the WTA250 Sao Paulo Open quarterfinals last year, advanced to the quarterfinals round.
Their maiden partnership ousted Canada’s Fernandez, who is of Filipino heritage, and France’s Mladenovic from the doubles tournament.
