Eala, Baptiste Break Into Rome Doubles Main Draw, Face Tough Top Seeds in WTA 1000 Opener
Alex Eala Enters Italian Open Doubles Main Draw, Draws World No. 1 Siniakova and Townsend
By Cip Cabrera
MANILA — Alexandra “Alex” Eala of the Philippines and American partner Hailey Baptiste have been pulled into the main draw of the WTA 1000 Italian Open women’s doubles event after originally being listed as alternates.
Their first assignment is a tough one: a clash against second seeds Kateřina Siniaková and Taylor Townsend.
The duo they face are among the most dominant in the game today. Siniaková, the world No. 1 in doubles with 36 career titles, and Townsend, a former world No. 1 with 15 titles, recently won the Madrid Open together.
The pair also previously defeated Eala and Zeynep Sönmez on their way to that title.
If Eala and Baptiste advance, they could meet Romanian team Jaqueline Cristian and Sorana Cîrstea next in another demanding matchup.
The Rome doubles draw features several high-profile pairings, including Jessica Pegula with Storm Hunter, and Coco Gauff teaming up again with Caty McNally after their opening victory over Aldila Sutjiadi and Janice Tjen.
Top billing, however, goes to Italian stars Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani, the top seeds and two-time defending champions, who begin their campaign against fellow Italians Vittoria Paganetti and Gaia Maduzzi.
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