Alex Eala staged a gritty comeback in the second set to defeat Russia’s Alina Charaeva, 6-2, 7-5, and secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the WTA 125 Birmingham Open.

The top-seeded Filipina looked in control early, dominating the opening set with sharp returns and steady service play. Eala broke Charaeva in the very first game, capitalizing on two double faults to take immediate command.

Charaeva struggled to find rhythm and only managed to get on the board at 1-4. Eala maintained her composure throughout the set, keeping pressure on the Russian and eventually converting her fifth set point to close it out, 6-2.

The match shifted dramatically in the second set as Charaeva adjusted her approach, mixing in slices, drop shots and more aggressive groundstrokes to disrupt Eala’s timing.

Charaeva opened with a hold and steadily built momentum, surging to a 5-2 lead as the faster, lower-bouncing grass court added another layer of difficulty.

Eala, however, refused to back down.

Staying low and quick on her feet, the 21-year-old clawed her way back into the match, winning two straight games to narrow the gap to 4-5.

She continued her surge from there, taking five of the final seven games to complete the comeback and seal the match in straight sets.

Eala will next face Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, ranked No. 173 in the WTA, in the quarterfinals.

The victory also marked another win for Eala over Charaeva, whom she previously defeated convincingly, 6-1, 6-2, at the Philippine Women’s Open in January.