ALEXANDRA "Alex" Eala seeks another shot at world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in the WTA 500 Berlin Open in Germany.
World No. 33 Eala first battled Rybakina at the Italian Open third round (round of 32) on May 10, with the Filipino netter falling to the Kazakh 4-6, 3-6.
Seeded No. 2 in this Berlin meet, Rybakina received a first-round bye, waiting for Eala in the second round (round of 16).
The 21-year-old Eala can set up that rematch if she handles the streaking world No. 76 Donna Vekic, who was playing at the HSBC Championships final at press time Sunday evening.
Eala and Vekic will likely clash on Tuesday.
In the same HSBC tournament, Eala reached the round of 16 and fell to Iva Jovic, 2-6, 2-6.
On the other hand, Rybakina made it to the quarterfinals where she fell to Katie Boulter, 5-7, 6-2, 4-6.
Facing 'Tita Donna' for the third time
The Berlin draw on Saturday pitted Eala and Vekic for the third time.
Eala defeated Vekic in their first encounter at the ASB Classic first round in New Zealand, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, on Jan. 6.
A little over a week later on Jan. 14, Eala topped Vekic anew, 6-3, 6-4, albeit in an exhibition match at the Kooyong Classic.
The two netters went to Manila for the inaugural Philippine Women's Open, where the Croatian was fondly called "Tita Donna" by Filipino fans citing her jewelry accessories while playing.
The 29-year-old Vekic actually co-founded a jewelry brand.
Eala reached the quarterfinal in Manila, where she fell to eventual champ Camila Osorio who defeated Vekic in the finale on Jan. 31.
