MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala got Donna Vekic's number anew as she topped the newly-minted Queen's Club champ in the WTA 500 Berlin Open first round (round of 32), 7-5, 6-4, in Germany Wednesday evening in Manila.
Holding serve in the 10th game of the second set, the Filipino netter capped her comeback from a 0-40 deficit with an ace and a serve that forced the Croatian into a return that did not cross the net, forging a rematch against world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in the process.
Eala first battled Rybakina at the Italian Open last month on May 10, falling to the Kazakh in the third round (round of 32), 4-6, 3-6.
The round of 16 match between Eala and Rybakina is likely set on Thursday.
Seeded No. 2 in the tourney, Rybakina received a first-round bye.
