By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala continues her quest for a third pro tennis title after earning a wildcard ticket in the main draw of the 2023 Mutua Madrid Open slated on Tuesday, April 25, at the clay courts of La Caja Magica in Spain.
This marks the second time Eala secured a wildcard entry in the prestigious Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 event after earning a berth last year in the qualifying draw.
Other players who also clinched main draw wildcard seats were former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina, Spaniards Marina Bassols and Rebeka Masarova, Colombia’s Camila Osorio, as well as teenagers Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva, Brenda Fruhvirtova and Mirra Andreeva.
Eala, who turns 18 next month, has been unsuccessful in following up the ITF pro title she won at the W25 Chiang Rai in Thailand last year.
Her best finish so far this year was a second-round appearance at the W60 Bellinzona in Switzerland a few days ago, as well as in the W60 Trnava in Slovakia last month and the W60 Canberra in Australia in January.
