Eala off to hot start on grass

MANILA, Philippines — Top seed Alex Eala made short work of Australia’s Priscilla Hon, 6-0, 6-2, in Round 1 of the WTA125 Lexus Birmingham Open, kicking off her grass season in style yesterday at the Edgbaston Priory Club in England.

Eala, 21, scored a bagel in the first set and wasn’t to be stopped en route to the quick win in 59 minutes. She will face either Greet Minnen (WTA No. 164) of Belgium or Alina Charaeva (WTA No. 130) of Russia next.

Eala is at No. 37, the highest-ranked player in the 125-level tourney and looms as heavy favorite to win it all as part of her build-up for the Wimbledon on June 29 to July 12 in London.

Meanwhile, Mirra Andreeva outclassed Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-3 to book her spot in the semifinals of the French Open.

Andreeva will next face the winner of the all-Ukrainian Last 8 matchup between Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka overpowered fellow four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the Last 16.

Sabalenka was too strong for a battling Osaka, winning 7-5, 6-3 in the first women’s night-session match in three years on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The Belarusian will next face Diana Shnaider after the Russian left-hander beat former Australian Open winner Madison Keys 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.