Alex Eala set for third clash vs. Alina Charaeva in WTA 125 Birmingham Open Round of 16 

Alexandra "Alex" Eala is set to face Alina Charaeva for the third time in their careers as the Filipina star takes on the Russian in the Round of 16 of the 2026 Birmingham Open on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Eala, currently ranked No. 37 in the world, will meet world No. 130 Charaeva for the second time this year after their encounter at the inaugural WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open last January.

In that match, Eala cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory to advance to the Round of 16. Her campaign, however, ended in the next round after a loss to Camila Osorio.

Eala will look to replicate that success against Charaeva as they battle for a place in the quarterfinals of the Birmingham Open.

The Filipina ace enters the match on the back of a dominant opening-round performance, dismantling Australia's Priscilla Hon, 6-0, 6-2, to kick off her grass-court campaign in style.

Charaeva was equally impressive in her first-round outing, defeating Belgium's Greet Minnen, 6-3, 6-1.

The pair first met in 2020 at an ITF tournament in Spain, with Thursday's encounter marking the third meeting between the two players.

—JKC, GMA News