Alex Eala outlasted Russia’s Elena Pridankina, 6-2, 6-2, to barge into the main draw of the 2024 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Guangzhou Open in China on Monday, Oct. 21.

The Filipina ace unleashed her lethal form on all angles to prevail after one and a half hours, keeping her title bid intact in this WTA250 hardcourt event.

Prior to the win, the 19-year-old Eala survived local bet Gao Xinyu, 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-2, in the first round of the qualifiers.

She await for her first-round rival as other qualifying matches are still ongoing as of press time.

Eala hopes to eclipse her previous performances, where she made quick exits in the WTA1000 Ningbo and WTA250 Wuhan Open also in China.

Currently ranked No. 147 in the WTA singles, Eala is expected to hurdle tougher foes as the main draw list include nine-time Grand Slam doubles champion Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, second seed Marie Bouzkova, and defending champion Wang Xiyu.

She won five singles titles in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) but has yet to win in the WTA.