50jili Alex Eala marches on to WTA Guangzhou Open main draw

Alex Eala during a WTA Guangzhou Open qualifying game. –ALEX EALA FACEBOOK

MANILA, Philippines—Alex Eala is back on track after reaching the main draw of the WTA Guangzhou Open.

The Filipino tennis ace defeated Russia’s Elena Pridankina, 6-2, 6-2, at Nansha International Tennis Center in Guangzhou, China on Monday to hurdle the qualifiers and advance.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Feeling great to be back in Main draw here in Guangzhou 🤗🎉Ready to make every moment count,” said Eala in a social media post.

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS PBA: Chris Ross says too much ‘change on our team’ doomed Beermen SPORTS PVL: Alohi Robins-Hardy set for PH return, joins Farm Fresh SPORTS Giemel Magramo wins OPBF title, Eman Bacosa stays unbeaten

READ: Alex Eala falls short, exits Ningbo Open

This, after defeating Chinese bet Gao Xinyu, 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-2, in the qualifying phase’s first round.

Article continues after this advertisement

Pridankina went on a neck-and-neck start against Eala, going on a 2-2 deadlock in the first set.

Article continues after this advertisement

But the 19-year-old Eala showed experience beyond her age and took the next four games to leave Pridankina in the dust in the opening salvo.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Alex Eala excited ahead of first US Open campaign as a pro

Eala pulled off a similar feat in the second set, going on another four-game streak after a 2-2 standoff.

Article continues after this advertisement

Eala looks to make it three in a row as she enters a tournament where she got eliminated in the first round of the main draw twice.

The road won’t be easier for Eala as she’ll potentially face top-tier bets Yue Yuan (China), Elina Avanesyan (Armenia) and Marie Bouzkova (Czech).

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.50jili

READ NEXT KBL: Carl Tamayo shines in Changwon’s win over Jeonju B.League: Ray Parks, Kai Sotto suffer respective setbacks EDITORS' PICK NBA: Nuggets give Aaron Gordon 4-year, $133M extension Walang Pasok: Class suspensions on Wednesday, Oct. 23 Manila Water Foundation and partners underscore benefits of handwashing DILG identifies 38 hotspots ahead of 2025 polls Central Visayas’ most wanted killed in shootout in Argao, Cebu Espenido retracts drug-related allegations vs De Lima MOST READ Tropical Storm Kristine slightly intensifies; Signal No. 2 in 5 areas Taxing Pogos did not make them legal, says Sotto Walang Pasok: Class suspensions on Wednesday, Oct. 23 LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine View comments