Philippines' Alexandra Eala serves to Poland's Iga Swiatek during their 2025 WTA Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament second round singles match at the Caja Magica in Madrid, on April 24, 2025. Thomas Coex, AFP/File
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala on Sunday booked her spot in the main draw of Nottingham Open.
Eala came away with a hard-earned three-set win over Romania's Anca Todoni, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, in the qualifying round.
The Filipina got the win even with Todoni firing 12 aces.
Eala had set up the showdown against Todoni by outlasting Varvara Gracheva in another grueling three-setter, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, on Saturday.
READ: Alex Eala advances in Nottingham Open qualifiers after beating Gracheva
The Filipina world no. 77 is now set to face Polish Magda Linette, Tuesday.
Linette, 33, is ranked World No. 31 by the WTA. She holds a 2025 W/L record of 15/14 and is sixth-seed in the main draw.
The Polish athlete had only had one grass court match prior to Nottingham, where she lost to American Bernarda Pera (World No. 78) in the Libema Open.