Eala edges French rival

World No. 77 Alex Eala remains in the hunt for a spot in the Nottingham Open on Sunday after scoring a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Varvara Gracheva of France in the first qualifying round.

The 20-year-old Eala needed two hours and five minutes to oust the former world No. 39 tennis player in her third grass tournament of the year.

Eala, a Rafael Nadal Academy graduate, is taking on Anca Todoni of Romania at press time in the second qualifying round for a chance to barge into the main draw.

Todoni, No. 87 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings, defeated home bet Jodie Burrage in the first round of the qualifiers, 7-6, 6-1, to set up a match with Eala.

Eala’s best result on the grass court this year was at the Ilkley Open last week after she made it to the quarterfinal before losing to defending champion Rebecca Marino of Canada, 6-1, 0-6, 6-7.

Eala is using these competitions in the hopes of making it to the main draw of the Wimbledon Championships on 30 June by improving her WTA ranking.

Only the top 100 netters will be assured of a ticket.

Eala is aiming for a deep run in the third Grand Slam of the year after a 0-6, 6-2, 3-6 loss to Emiliana Arango of Colombia in the first round of the French Open last May.

It would also be a chance for Eala to make the most of her stint in Wimbledon after losing in the third qualifying round last year to Lulu Sun of New Zealand, 6-7, 5-7.

Eala hopes to replicate the same magic she produced in her semifinal finish in the Miami Open last March, her best finish since becoming a professional tennis player in 2020.