Eala gets Stuttgart Open main draw spot

April 12 ------ INSTEAD of earning her spot through the qualifiers, Filipino tennis ace Alexandra “Alex” Eala seized a direct main draw entry at the WTA 500 Stuttgart Open slated from April 13 to 19.

World No. 46 Eala gained main draw promotion after No. 37 Qinwen Zheng withdrew due to an injury as announced by the tournament. As the top-ranked player on the main draw alternate list, Eala replaced Zheng and thus avoided having to compete in the qualifiers. “Alexandra Eala replaces Zheng in the main draw,” the Stuttgart Open X handle “Porsche Tennis” posted. “Unfortunately, Qinwen has to withdraw due to injury, but fans can now look forward to seeing Alexandra step in. We wish Qinwen a speedy recovery and hope to see her back on the court in Stuttgart very soon!”

At press time on Wednesday evening, Eala was taking on former French Open titlist and world No. 23 Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia at the Linz Open round of 16. The 20-year-old Eala forged her third singles match against the 28-year-old Ostapenko after overcoming clay-court specialist and home bet Julia Grabher, 6-4, 6-3, in the round of 32 early Wednesday. “I think I kept the intensity well throughout the match,” said Eala in the post-match court interview. “She (Grabher) is a very tense player and has really good shots, so I’m really happy with the win.”

Eala defeated Ostapenko twice already, starting with their round of 64 match, 7-6(2), 7-5, at the Miami Open in March last year. Three months later, Eala walked over Ostapenko at the Eastbourne Open, 0-6, 6-2, 3-2, after the Latvian retired due to injury in their round of 16 clash. Ostapenko defeated Eala in the doubles side, though. At the Indian Wells last month, Ostapenko and Hailey Baptiste denied the duo of Eala and Iva Jovic, 6-2, 6-2, in the round of 16.

Source: manilatimes.net