Alex Eala set for Australian Open doubles with Ingrid Martins after singles exit

Alexandra “Alex” Eala’s Australian Open journey continues despite an early exit from her singles main-draw debut.

The Filipina tennis sensation, who fell to Alycia Parks of the United States in the opening round on Monday, is set to compete in the doubles draw alongside Brazilian partner Ingrid Martins on Tuesday.

Eala and Martins will open their doubles campaign against Poland’s Magda Linette and Japan’s Shuko Aoyama.

The Australian Open holds a special place in Eala’s heart.

Back in 2020, at just 14 years old, Eala captured her first-ever Grand Slam title in the junior ranks after she and partner Priska Nugroho of Indonesia defeated Slovenia’s Živa Falkner and Britain’s Matilda Mutavdzic in the Australian Open junior doubles final.

Eala went on to build on that success, winning the 2021 French Open junior doubles title alongside Russian partner Oksana Selekhmeteva.

She is now hoping to translate that junior success to the WTA level.

Eala will be partnering with the 29-year-old world No. 80 Martins, who previously claimed the WTA 125 Montevideo Open doubles title with fellow Brazilian Luisa Stefani.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News