MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala is in line for a potential rematch against Jasmine Paolini and even a quarterfinal clash against world No. 2 Elena Rybakina at the WTA 500 Stuttgart Open in Germany.
World No. 46 Eala last faced No. 8 Paolini at the Dubai Tennis Championships last February, with the Filipino netter pulling off an upset against the Italian, 6-1, 7-6(5) in their round of 32 clash.
Eala could forge a rematch against Paolini if she beats No. 25 Leylah Fernandez in their Monday round of 32 clash and if Paolini also wins her opening match.
Paolini faces a qualifier to start her campaign.
If Eala defeats Paolini in their potential round of 16 clash, she will secure a quarterfinal match against Rybakina which would be her first against the world No. 2.
The top seed Kazakh netter, though, has to defeat Tamara Korspatsch or Diana Shnaider in the round of 16.
Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champ, received a bye in the round of 32.
