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Alex Eala practices with French Open champ Iga Swiatek ahead of Miami Open qualifying

Sports

Alex Eala practices with French Open champ Iga Swiatek ahead of Miami Open qualifying

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

Alex Eala — Alex Eala, right, poses with 2020 French Open champ Iga Swiatek during a practice session. (Photo from Rafa Nadal Academy)

Junior sensation Alex Eala gears up for her stint at the Miami Open by practicing with no less than reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek.

The Rafa Nadal Academy where Eala has been a scholar for the past years shared this moment in a social media post Monday, March 23, where the 15-year-old Filipina poses with the world No. 16 Polish superstar.

“Thanks for the practice @iga.swiatek! Alex Eala is ready for her first WTA tournament! VAMOS!” the photo caption read.

View this post on Instagram

Swiatek took the 2020 French Open by storm by beating Sofia Kenin to become the lowest-ranked player to win the event since rankings were introduced in 1975.

Then ranked No. 54 in the Women’s Tennis Association, Swiatek also became the lowest-ranked player to win a Grand Slam since Sloane Stephens in the 2017 US Open and the first Polish player, male or female, to win a Grand Slam singles title.

Eala, who earned a wildcard berth in this tournament, is expected to use the practice session as a morale-booster heading to her first match in the qualifying round, where she will be facing Slovakia’s Viktoria Kuzmova early Tuesday, March 23 (Manila time).

Kuzmova is currently ranked No. 104 with a best Grand Slam finish of making into the third round of the 2019 French Open. The 22-year-old also boasts 14 International Tennis Federation (ITF) titles and three WTA crowns.

Eala, for her part, is just starting her pro career with a current ranking at No. 737. She won her first pro title last January in the W15 Manacor tournament.

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Alex Eala Iga Swiatek Miami Open

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