Alex Eala nears French Open 2024 main draw

Alex Eala during the French Open 2024 qualifying round action. -ALEX EALA FACEBOOK

MANILA, Philippines — Birthday girl Alex Eala is on the verge of making her women’s Grand Slam debut after winning her second qualifying match in the 2024 French Open on Wednesday in Paris.

Eala, who is celebrating her 19th birthday on Thursday, tries to advance to the main draw, facing the second-seed qualifier Julia Riera of Argentina at 5 p.m. (Manila time).

The Filipino teen netter pulled the rug from under Taylah Preston of Australia in three sets, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 to inch a win closer to her Grand Slam main draw pro debut.

READ: Alex Eala sweeps world No. 197 at French Open qualifiers

Eala needed to overcome a first-set loss and a 2-4 deficit in the third, where she rallied in three straight games for a 5-4 lead before Preston forced an equalizer.

The Rafael Nadal Academy product displayed grace under pressure regaining the lead before dominating the 12th game with a 40-15 triumph to advance to the final stage of the qualifiers.

Eala, who earned a Grand Slam title in the US Open girls, has won two consecutive games in the qualifiers including a 6-1, 6-1 domination of China’s YeXin Ma on Monday.

READ: Alex Eala vows to come back stronger after Miami Open exit

She is currently on her highest Women’s Tennis Association world ranking at 160, leaping from 162 on Monday.