Alex Eala overcomes top seed Baptiste to enter Eastbourne Open main draw

Mar 27, 2025; Alex Eala (PHL) reacts after winning a point against Jessica Pegula (USA) in a women's singles semifinal on day ten of the Miami Open. (Photo: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images/REUTERS)

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala overcame top seed Hailey Baptiste of the United States, 6(1)-7, 7-6(4), 6-1, on Sunday in the second round of the Eastbourne Open qualifying draw to book a slot in the tournament's main draw.

After a neck-and-neck affair in the first two sets, world no. 77 Eala dominated the world no. 56 Baptiste in the third set to take a 5-0 lead before cruising to the victory after a two-hour and 47-minute match.

In the first round, Eala defeated Turkish Zeynep Sonmez, 6-1, 6-3.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News

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