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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala braces for familiar foe Magda Linette in Miami Open third round

Alex Eala braces for familiar foe Magda Linette in Miami Open third round

Published Mar 20, 2026 09:50 am

At A Glance

  • It will mark Eala's fourth meeting with Linette, a seasoned Grand Slam campaigner who reached the semifinals of the 2023 Australian Open. The 34-year-old Polish standout has also made deep runs in doubles, advancing to the semis of the 2021 French Open and the quarterfinals of the 2023 US Open.
Alex Eala, left, is facing Magda Linette for the fourth time. (WTA)
Alex Eala, left, is facing Magda Linette for the fourth time. (WTA)
Alex Eala is set for a familiar showdown in the third round of the Miami Open after Magda Linette pulled off a stunning upset of five-time Grand Slam champion and second seed Iga Swiatek, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, on Friday, March 20 (Philippine time).
Linette’s shock victory came just hours after Eala battled through her own Round-of-64 test, rallying past Grand Slam doubles champion Laura Siegemund, 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-3, following an opening-round bye in the WTA1000 event.
It will mark Eala’s fourth meeting with Linette, a seasoned Grand Slam campaigner who reached the semifinals of the 2023 Australian Open. The 34-year-old Polish standout has also made deep runs in doubles, advancing to the semis of the 2021 French Open and the quarterfinals of the 2023 US Open.
Linette has also reached eight finals on the WTA Tour, winning three titles.
At the Australian Open a few months back, Linette reached the third round following a loss to Karolina Muchova.
Despite sitting 21 spots below Eala in the rankings at No. 50, Linette holds the edge in their head-to-head, winning two of their three meetings against the world No. 29 Filipina ace.
But Eala prevailed in their recent duel -- 6-3, 6-2 triumph in the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic in New Zealand last January.
They first squared off in Abu Dhabi in 2024, where Linette prevailed, 7-6(4), 6-1. The Polish standout then reaffirmed her upper hand in their next meeting at the Nottingham Open the following year, posting a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Unlike Eala, who secured an opening-round bye, Linette had to dig deep and first survived Varvara Gracheva, 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, before shocking Swiatek.
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