FILE-Alex Eala of the Philippines reacts during her women’s singles qualifying match against Emiliana Arango of Colombia during the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, March 18, 2024. Megan Briggs/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines—Alex Eala is close to reaching the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.
Eala defeated Australian opponent Maddison Inglis in three sets, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, in the first round of US Open qualifying on Wednesday (Manila time).
The 19-year-old Eala performed brilliantly in the third set after a poor performance in the second set. With this win, Eala needs just two more wins to reach the main draw.
READ: Alex Eala excited about his first US Open campaign as a professional
🇵🇭 Alexandra Eala advances to the second round of US Open qualifying! pic.twitter.com/RJ6yFzM59t
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 20, 2024
However, the road will not be easy for the Philippine tennis player.
Eala will next face Spain’s Nuria Parizas-Diaz, who is seeded 15th in the competition, on Thursday.
Eala, ranked 148th in the WTA, has made it to the ITF quarterfinals twice in a row in the USA.
American sensation Coco Gauff is the defending US Open champion.
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