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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala, partner to face Venus Williams, Svitolina in Auckland doubles opener

Alex Eala, partner to face Venus Williams, Svitolina in Auckland doubles opener

Published Jan 4, 2026 02:19 pm

At A Glance

  • While a potential quarterfinal showdown between Eala and Williams in the women's singles hinges on their performances in the opening two rounds, the 20-year-old Filipina tennis sensation will be tested early as she teams up with her American partner, Iva Jovic.
Alex Eala opens her season at the ASB Classic with a thrilling women’s doubles match against Grand Slam veterans Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina on Monday, Jan. 5, in Auckland, New Zealand.
While a potential quarterfinal showdown between Eala and Williams in the women’s singles hinges on their performances in the opening two rounds, the 20-year-old Filipina tennis sensation will be tested early as she teams up with her American partner, Iva Jovic.
Match is at 8:50 a.m. (Philippine time), with Eala and Jovic seeking to make an early impact in the WTA250 event.
The tournament is part of the Australian Open swing, with Eala using it as a springboard for her maiden main-draw appearance at the said Grand Slam.
On paper, Williams and Svitolina present a formidable challenge for Eala and Jovic.
The 45-year-old Williams, who received a wildcard here, is a legend in the doubles. She won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, all with sister Serena Williams.
She also clinched three gold medals at the Olympic Games with Serena: in the 2000 Sydney, 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games.
Currently, she is ranked No. 145 in the doubles.
Svitolina, 31, also boasts of two career doubles titles and went as high as No. 108 in the doubles rankings.
Eala also has experience in the doubles. She is ranked No. 166 and has won three International Tennis Federation (ITF) doubles titles in 2024.
Her partner, Jovic, 18, also shows potential, with a doubles ranking at No. 217.
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