Who is Elise Mertens? Alex Eala’s Round of 64 opponent at the Madrid Open

Alexandra “Alex” Eala will face Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the Round of 64 of the Madrid Open.

Eala advanced to the second round of the clay-court tournament after defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6–3, 6–3, on Wednesday.

Mertens, meanwhile, received a first-round bye, entering the tournament directly through to the Round of 64.

The 30-year-old Belgian is currently ranked No. 21 in singles and has been a regular presence in Grand Slam tournaments since 2016. Her best Grand Slam result came at the Australian Open in 2018, where she reached the semifinals.

The two previously met on the court in 2023 at the Jasmin Open, where Mertens defeated Eala, 7–5, 6–0, in the Round of 32.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News