Who is Panna Udvardy, Alex Eala’s finals opponent in Guadalajara 125 Open?

A familiar face awaits Alex Eala as she chases her first-ever WTA crown.

The Filipina tennis star will square off against Hungary’s Panna Udvardy in the Guadalajara 125 Open final early Sunday in Mexico, with history on the line for both players.

The 26-year-old Udvardy, who's currently ranked 134th in the world, has been in the professional scene since 2016 and made her WTA main draw debut in 2017. 

But Udvardy isn't exactly a new foe to Eala. 

Back in April this year, the two had an encounter during the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal where Udvardy eked out a 7(4)-6, 6-4 win against the FIlipina ace in the Round of 16.

Udvardy, though, wasn't able to go the distance after absorbing a 6-7, 1-6 loss to Dalma Galfi of Italy in the quarterfinals. 

They now reunite at the hard court with both players chasing their respective breakthrough WTA singles title. 

Udvardy's past results

Since 2017, she has captured one title and reached three runner-up finishes — all coming in doubles tournaments. She also had a career-high WTA ranking at no. 76 back in September 2022. 

Udvardy, like Eala, joined various Grand Slam events this year, except for the US Open. 

In the Australian Open earlier this year, Udvardy lost to home bet Destanee Aiava of Australia in the second round of the qualifying stage to bow out of the contest. 

Udvardy then came back for the French Open, also known as Roland Garros, but likewise suffered an early exit after bowing to Ella Seidel also in the second round of the qualifiers. 

Udvardy managed to eke out two wins in Wimbledon's qualifying stage but ultimately failed to enter the main draw again following a 2-6, 6-1, 3-6 loss to Petra Martic in the third round.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News