MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala is in line for a third match against world No. 23 Jelena Ostapenko at the WTA 500 Linz Open in Austria.
Eala opens her campaign against home bet Julia Grabher in the round of 32 on Monday set at 5 p.m. in Manila.
If Eala defeats Grabher, she will face Ostapenko for the third time likely set on Tuesday.
As the No. 4 seed, Ostapenko gained a first-round bye in this Linz tourney.
Eala first fought the former French Open titlist at the Miami Open in March last year, winning their round of 64 match, 7-6(2), 7-5.
Three months later, Eala repeated and walked over Ostapenko at the Eastbourne Open, 0-6, 6-2, 3-2, after the Latvian retired due to injury in their round of 16 clash.
Eala and Ostapenko also met in the Indian Wells doubles last March.
Joining forces with Hailey Baptiste, Ostapenko defeated Eala who partnered with Iva Jovic in the round of 32, 6-2, 6-2.