Alex Eala starts Miami Open campaign vs Laura Siegemund

MANILA, Philippines, March 19 ------ In her return to the Miami Open, Alex Eala begins her campaign against Laura Siegemund of Germany in the round of 64. Eala is facing Siegemund, currently World No. 53 in the singles division, for the first time in the WTA.

Siegemund took down Petra Marcinko of Croatia, 6-4, 6-4, in the first round to advance against Eala. The German veteran, who has a career-high world ranking of 27 with two singles titles, reached the quarterfinal of Wimbledon last year, falling to World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. She is also a seasoned doubles player with 16 titles, including three Grand Slam championships. If Eala advances against Siegemund, she could be on a collision course against Iga Swiatek, who is seeded as No.2 in the tournament.

Swiatek is scheduled to face fellow Polish Magda Linette, who took down Varvara Gracheva, 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, to open her campaign. In the Miami Open last year, Eala–then a qualifier and ranked no. 140–upset Swiatek in the quarterfinals to become the first wildcard in the WTA to upset three Grand Slam champions.

The Rafa Nadal Academy graduate ended her dream run in the Miami Open with a semifinal loss to Jessica Pegula, but it was the start of her rise inside the top 100. She eventually reached a new career-high ranking of 28 this year. Swiatek, though, beat Eala in three sets, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, in last year’s Madrid Open’s round of 64.

Source: inquirer.net