Alex Eala opens Indian Wells bid vs familiar foe

March 6 ------ Pinay tennis star Alex Eala will kick off her 2026 Indian Wells campaign against Dayana Yastremska. Eala, who currently ranks No. 32 in the world, will collide against the Ukrainian in the round of 64 in California on Friday (Saturday, Manila time).

The No. 52nd ranked Yastremska arranged a second-round face off against Eala by beating Zhang Shuai, 6-3, 6-2, in the Round of 128. The Filipina headed straight to the second round after receiving a first-round bye in the WTA 1000 tournament. Eala defeated Yastremska last year in the Eastbourne Open quarterfinals, 6-1, 6-1, before the Pinay eventually wound up second against Maya Joint.

Despite being outranked by Eala, the Ukrainian already has three singles titles under her name. She first won in Hong Kong in 2018 before bagging two more crowns in Hua Hin and Strasbourg a year later. Eala, for her part, is looking to follow up her Guadalajara title quest in 2025. Whoever wins between Eala and Yastremska will take on the victor between Coco Gauff and Kamilla Rakhimova.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com