MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala and American great Venus Williams continue their stalled partnership at the National Bank Open in Toronto.
The tournament announced on Wednesday that Eala and Williams received the final wildcard and will face the Japanese-Russian duo of Miyu Kato and Liudmila Samsonova in the first round on Thursday night (Friday morning in Manila).
Teaming up for the first time and reaching the Bad Homburg quarterfinals doubles last June, Eala and Williams were supposed to reunite at the Mubadala D.C. Open in Washington.
Eala withdrew from the doubles side, though, saying she's not 100 percent in multiple aspects and that Williams deserves a doubles partner.
The decision to prioritize her singles campaign worked wonders for Eala, who went on to win her first Tour-level title after defeating Jessica Pegula in the final, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.
Eala will also compete in the Toronto singles draw on Thursday morning in Manila, facing American Alycia Parks in the round of 64.
