Alex Eala escapes French foe to advance in Nottingham Open

Metro Manila, Philippines - Filipina tennis star Alex Eala outlasted French veteran Varvara Gracheva, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, in the first round of the Nottingham Open qualifiers on Saturday in England.

The win comes after Eala’s quarterfinals exit in the Ilkley Open as the 20-year-old ace ramps up preparations for a potential Wimbledon debut later in the month.

Eala, seeded sixth in the current qualifiers, will face 11th seed Anca Todoni of Romania for a shot at a main draw berth in the grass-court tilt.