Alex Eala continues to make heads turn after a 7-6, 6-7, 6-2 win over Jaqueline Cristian of Romania in the Round of 32 in the women's singles of the W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz at the Peña Vitoriana Tennis Club in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain early Thursday (Manila time).

The Rafael Nadal Academy graduate had to endure three hours and one minute inside the court before finally getting the win over the fifth seed Romanian and was just relieved to come out on top and reach the Round of 16.

"I won after three hours of playing!  Laban!!!" Eala said in a social media post.

The three-time women's champion is playing against Mi Tianmi of China as of press time.

Mi posted 7-6, 2-6, 6-4 win over Poland's Gina Feistel in a separate match to arrange a clash with Eala.

Also happening as of press time is the women's doubles match between Eala and hometown bet Marina Bassols Ribera and Estelle Cascino of France and Diana Marcinkevica of Latvia in the Round of 16.

Eala and Bassols Ribera pulled off an upset after defeating the second seed pair of Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare of India last Wednesday.

The three-time Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist is aiming for her fourth professional singles title and her first women's doubles championship.

Eala is also preparing for her debut in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China from 23 September to 8 October.