Alexandra “Alex” Eala will begin her Qatar Open campaign this week against Czech player Tereza Valentova in the Round of 64.
Eala and Valentova previously faced each other in October 2025 at the Japan Women’s Open, where the Czech dominated the Filipina ace, 6-1, 6-2, in the Round of 32. Valentova went on to reach the finals of the tournament before falling to Leylah Fernandez.
Valentova is currently ranked 44th in the WTA rankings, just one spot above Eala.
The Czech player made her Grand Slam main draw debut last year, reaching the Round of 64 at both Roland Garros and the US Open, and advancing to the Round of 32 at the most recent Australian Open.
Eala, meanwhile, is coming from the Abu Dhabi Open, where she reached the quarterfinals in singles and the semifinals in doubles alongside Janice Tjen.
Since January, Eala has reached the semifinals of the ASB Classic, named as champion of the Kooyong Classic, and suffered a first-round exit at the Australian Open against Alycia Parks.
At the Philippine Women’s Open, Eala advanced to the quarterfinals before bowing out to eventual champion Camila Osorio.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News