Eala nears French Open main draw

Alex Eala moved within a victory of making the main draw in the girls’ French Open after a rousing win late Thursday over a 15th-seeded Spaniard Paula Arias Manjon, 6-4, 6-4, in the qualifying in Montrouge, Paris.

The 13-year-old Eala displayed maturity and grit beyond her years, forcing the much older Manjon on the defensive throughout.

The Filipino survived 11 double faults and broke the 18-year-old Spaniard six times.

Eala guns for the main draw slot Saturday against fifth seed Peyton Stearns of the United States.

Stearns repulsed French wild card Sophia Biolay, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, to advance to the final round.