MANILA, Philippines — Nearly three years after falling to Chinese Zheng Qinwen at the Asian Games, Filipino tennis ace Alexandra "Alex" Eala finally gets her chance at redemption.
World No. 29 Eala and No. 123 Zheng were pitted as first-round opponents at the WTA 500 Mubadala D.C. Open after the tournament draw was held Saturday afternoon in Washington (early Sunday in Manila).
Eala and Zheng will likely face on Monday or Tuesday.
This marks Eala and Zheng's first-ever WTA encounter after their hardly-fought semifinal match at the Asiad back in 2023.
Zheng, 23, defeated Eala, 21, in three sets, 6–1, 6(5)–7, 6–3, to make the final and eventually win the gold medal.
Eala bagged a bronze medal for her semifinal appearance.
If Eala gets past Zheng, she will face either Magda Linette or defending champ Leylah Fernandez in the second round (round of 16).
