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A possible clash with Fernandez, Sabalenka awaits Eala at Italian Open

Sports

A possible clash with Fernandez, Sabalenka awaits Eala at Italian Open

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

At A Glance

A possible clash with Fil-Canadian Leylah Fernandez and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka awaits Alex Eala when she starts her campaign at the 2025 Italian Open on Wednesday, May 7.

A possible clash with Fil-Canadian Leylah Fernandez and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka awaits Alex Eala when she starts her campaign at the 2025 Italian Open on Wednesday, May 7.

Alex Eala

The 19-year-old Eala is bracketed in the upper half of the 128-player field where she is scheduled to meet world No. 27 Marta Kostyuk in the opening round.

A victory for the Filipina tennis sensation would set her up for a next meeting with 14th seed Daria Kasatkina. If she succeeds, Eala would have a chance to meet Fernandez, a Canadian with Filipino descent, provided that the 2021 US Open finalist prevails in her second round match.

If all things fall into place, a Round of 16 clash with Sabalenka also poses a possibility for Eala. Still fresh from winning the Madrid Open over the weekend, the 27-year-old Belarusian and last year’s bridesmaid enjoys an opening-round bye like Fernandez.

Among the possible tough opponents for Sabalenka in the early stages of this Women’s Tennis Association (WTA1000) event is 2020 Sofia Kenin.

Eala, ranked No. 70 in the world, hopes to deliver the same firepower she did at the Miami Open last March when she stunned the field with upset wins over Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Swiatek on her way to finishing in the semifinals.

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