Alex Eala powered past Oleksandra Oliynykova in their second-round match at the US Open on Thursday, defeating the Ukrainian 6-1, 6-4 at Flushing Meadows, New York.
The victory secured Eala her first appearance in the third round of the US Open and also served as revenge for the Filipina's three-set loss to Oliynykova at the Strasbourg Open in May, 6-3, 5-7, 3-6.
She will next face either Iva Jovic or Fran Jones for a place in the second week of the tournament.
"Who I play in the next round is definitely out of my control, but they are both great friends of mine, both such amazing people and players, so all I can do is wish them a great match and hope they have fun," Eala said after her victory.
"I'm sure they will give their all like everyone here."
Eala was asked about her success since winning the US Open junior title four years ago and what it meant to her to represent the Philippines.
"I think everybody represents something in their own way," she said.
"I am Filipino and I proudly represent that.
"And a lot of people in the crowd are Filipino and I'm sure they share the sentiment, like Americans, or Ukrainians like Oleksandra, who played so amazingly today. We all represent something and I'm proud of what I represent."
The Ukrainian finally got on the board with a break in the fifth game, but Eala answered with a break back in the sixth before holding serve to close out the set in the seventh game.
Eala's first serve once again proved pivotal, as she won 10 of 12 points behind her first delivery, giving her a clear edge in the early exchanges.