Eala topples French foe, inches closer to Nottingham Open main draw

Alex Eala opens her Nottingham Open campaign on a positive note after pulling off a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Varvara Gracheva of France in the first qualifying round at the Nottingham Tennis Centre in Great Britain early Sunday (Manila time).

It took the 20-year-old Eala two hours and five minutes to take down the former world No. 39 netter her third grass court competition of the year.

The Rafael Nadal Academy graduate last competed in the Ilkley Open where she suffered a heartbreaking 6-1, 0-6, 6-7 loss to defending champion Rebecca Marino of Canada last Friday.

Eala is using these grass tournaments as preparation for the Wimbledon Championships that will begin on 30 June.

Eala will next face Anca Todoni of Romania in the second qualifying round on Sunday at 5 p.m. (Manila time) as she aims a spot in the main draw.