IT WILL be a challenging fight for Filipina netter Alexandra Eala as she reached the main draw of the WTA 250 Lexus Nottingham Open in the United Kingdom.
The 20-year-old Eala, currently ranked no. 77 in the world, faces world no. 33 Magda Linette for the second time in the first round.
Eala will seek payback from her loss to the 31-year-old Linette last year in Abu Dhabi.
That was when Linette, who is from Poland, put away Eala, 7-6 (4), 6-1.
Eala reached the main draw after enduring her encounter with power-serving Anca Todoni of Romania, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3, on Sunday.
The field includes top seed and world No. 22 Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil, world No. 23 second-seed Clara Tauson of Canada, world No. 27 Yuia Putintseva of Kazahkstan, and 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez of Canada.
There’s also British No.2 Katie Boulter, who is returning to her home tournament, with hopes of not only defending her title, but with aspirations of claiming her third consecutive Lexus Nottingham Open crown.
Eala, who took 94 minutes to deal with the world No. 87 Todoni, held her ground after the Romanian tied the match for the last time at 2-all in the third set.
Displaying an aggressive game, Eala blanked Todoni in the next three games to move away decisively, 5-2.
The Filipina went on finish with 51 points off 71 first serves.
