Falling short in the final qualifying round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, will the third time be the charm for Alex Eala to finally break into the US Open women’s singles main draw?
Only one win separates Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala from a making HERstory.
Eala pulled off major upset in her quest for a maiden Grand Slam main draw appearance, stunning world no. 99 Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5 in the second round of the 2024 US Open qualifiers.
The teenage star broke the Spaniard in the pivotal 11th game of the first and second sets to hold a 6-5 before holding serve to finish off the match without dropping a set.
Earlier, Eala needed almost two hours to send Australian Maddison Inglis of Australia home in their opening,round clash.
For third time this year, Eala is on the precipice of her professional Grand Slam main-draw debut.
Currently the world no. 148, she fell short of qualifying in the French Open last May and the Wimbledon Championships two months ago.
Up next for Eala is 123rd ranked Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania with the winner moving into in the main draw of the final Grand Slam of the year.
The 2024 US Open will be held from August 29 to September 9 in Flushing Meadows, New York.