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 erased a one-set deficit to defeat Hailey Baptiste of the United States and advance to the main draw of the 2025 Eastbourne Open, Sunday in the United Kingdom.
Eala had to dig deep before seizing a 6-7, 7-6, 6-1 triumph and seal her place to the main draw of another grass court tournament.
After winning the second set, Eala surged to a 3-0 advantage in the decider, before action was halted as Baptiste took a medical timeout.
When action resumed, Eala won back-to-back games for a 5-0 lead, before Baptiste took another timeout.
The American pulled one back when play resumed but Eala erased any possibility of a comeback with a quick win in the final game.
Before beating Baptiste, Eala routed Zeynep Sönmez of Turkey, 6-1, 6-3, in the first round of qualifying.