By Tracy Cabrera
MANILA — Filipina tennis standout Alexandra “Alex” Eala is set for a challenging start in Berlin after drawing experienced Croatian player Donna Vekić in the opening round.
The young Filipino star is also looking ahead to a possible high-profile clash with Kazakhstan’s world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, should both advance. Rybakina is currently competing against British star Emma Raducanu in the HSBC Championships final at press time.
Eala recently competed at Queen’s Club, where her run ended in the second round after a straight-sets defeat to American sixth seed and friend Iva Jovic.
The 29-year-old Vekić, ranked world No. 76, is already familiar with Eala’s game. The two previously met at the ASB Classic in Auckland earlier this year, where Eala secured a three-set victory in the Round of 32.
The Quezon City native is still working to regain peak form after a demanding two-week tour stretch. However, she carries momentum from her title win at the Birmingham Classic, her second WTA singles crown.
Vekić, meanwhile, enters the matchup in solid shape, having reached the semifinals of the Linz Open and the final of the WTA 125 event in Istanbul during the clay season before continuing her form into grass-court play.
The Croatian brings significant Grand Slam experience, highlighted by a semifinal appearance at Wimbledon 2024, a quarterfinal run at the 2023 Australian Open, and another quarterfinal finish at the 2019 US Open.
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