Alex Eala advances to final qualifying round of WTA Guangzhou Open

 Alex Eala gains a much-needed confidence boost as she moves on the cusp of the WTA Guangzhou Open main draw

MANILA, Philippines – It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win.

Alex Eala finally notched a victory after going through a string of losses, prevailing in three sets over hometown bet Gao Xinyu, 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-2, in the opening round of the WTA Guangzhou Open qualifiers on Sunday, October 20, at the center court of the Nansha International Tennis Center in China.

It was a much-needed confidence boost for the world No. 148 Eala, whose last win in the pro tour was in the final qualifying round of the WTA 500 Guadalajara Open in Mexico last September 9. She was booted out by world No. 45 Marie Bouzkova in the opening round of the main draw, 6-2, 6-2. This was followed by two quick exits in China in the first round of the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open main draw and the opening qualifying round of the WTA 250 Ningbo Open.

The 19-year-old Eala immediately showed her determination to put an end to her slump by breaking Gao in the very first game of the opening set. Eala held serve the entire first set while breaking Gao twice to surge ahead in the match with a 6-2 win.