Alex Eala faces her toughest rival to date as she clashes with former world No. 5 Sara Errani of Italy in the first qualifying round of the Miami Open 2024 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida on Monday, March 18 (Manila time).

The 18-year-old Filipino tennis sensation earned a wildcard berth in the qualifiers, making it the fourth straight year that she would be competing in the WTA1000 event.

Last year, she earned a wildcard in the main draw round but lost to Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round.

Eala is expected to have her hands full this early as Errani, currently ranked No. 100, boasts of extensive experience in such high-ranked tournaments that included the Grand Slams.

In fact, the 36-year-old Errani was a former world No. 1 doubles player, having won five Grand Slam titles with fellow Italian Roberta Vinci, and a singles finalist in the 2012 Roland Garros where she lost to Maria Sharapova.

Overall, she won nine singles titles and 29 doubles crowns.

A victory for Eala over Errani will set up a second round qualifying match with the winner between United States’ Kayla Day, who is ranked No. 88, and Colombia’s Emiliana Arango, who is ranked No. 121.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and defending champion Daniil Medvedev will headlining this year’s field, which also has world No. 2 olayers Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys.