Eala has eyes on French Open

MANILA, Philippines — Breakout star Alex Eala is officially marching into her Grand Slam main draw debut.

Eala is among the 104 direct entries to the 2025 French Open on May 19 to June 8 in Paris as announced yesterday, marking her much-awaited stint in the main tournament after multiple exits in the qualifiers.

The 19-year-old Filipina sensation finally did it after reaching a career-high ranking of No. 72 in the Women’s Tennis Association, thanks to a historic Cinderella run in the Miami Open.

Only the Top 100 players get a direct invite to all the Grand Slam and W1000 tourneys, including the Roland Garros as part of the four annual tennis majors.

Meanwhile, Eala as the No. 1 seed bowed to WTA No. 137 Panna Udvardy of Hungary in the second round of the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal, 6-7, 4-6.

She previously beat WTA No. 182 Anouk Koevermans of the Netherlands, 6-3, 6-4, in the rain-hit first round as part of her French Open preparations that will continue in the Madrid Open next week.

Eala also had an early exit in the doubles as she and American partner Katie Volynets stumbled in the first round against the American pair of Carmen Corley and Christina Rosca, 3-6, 4-6.