Alex Eala starts Abu Dhabi Open run vs Zeynep Sonmez, enters doubles with Janice Tjen

Alexandra “Alex” Eala is set to begin her Middle East swing at the Abu Dhabi Open, where she will face a familiar opponent to open her campaign.

Eala is slated to take on Türkiye’s Zeynep Sonmez in a Round of 32 match scheduled for Monday.

The two have met twice before dating back to their ITF days.

They first crossed paths at ITF France 22A in November 2023, followed by another encounter at the Eastbourne Open in June last year. Eala emerged victorious in both singles meetings.

Eala and Sonmez have also shared the court as doubles opponents, competing in ITF Luxembourg in November 2023 and at ITF Slovakia in 2024.

In addition to her singles campaign, Eala will also see action in doubles, teaming up with fellow Southeast Asian standout Janice Tjen. The pair will open their run against Canadian Leylah Fernandez, who has Filipino heritage, and France’s Kristina Mladenovic.

Eala is coming off a historic homecoming, having competed on Philippine soil for the first time at the Philippine Women’s Open. She bowed out in the quarterfinals after falling to eventual champion Camila Osorio.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News