Who is Nikola Bartunkova? Alex Eala's final opponent at WTA 125 Birmingham Open

Alexandra “Alex” Eala is set to take on Czech player Nikola Bartunkova in the final of the WTA 125 Birmingham Open on Sunday.

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The 20-year-old Bartunkova was also her doubles partner in the same tournament. However, the pair suffered a first-round exit in the doubles draw.

The Czech player is currently ranked No. 69 in the WTA rankings.

Bartunkova is enjoying a strong season this year, highlighted by a run to the Round of 32 at the Australian Open as a qualifier. She also reached the quarterfinals of the Ostrava Open and the Round of 16 of the ATX Open in the weeks that followed.

In Rome, Bartunkova continued her impressive run as she advanced to the Round of 16 of the Italian Open as a qualifier and reached a career-high ranking of No. 65 on May 18.

At the WTA 125 Birmingham Open, Bartunkova entered the tournament as the fifth seed. She defeated Harriet Dart, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5; Gabriela Knutson, 6-4, 7-6(4); Mika Stojsavljevic, 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(4); and Ashlyn Krueger, 6-4, 7-6(7), to book her place in the final.

Eala, meanwhile, came into Birmingham ranked No. 37 in the world. The 21-year-old Filipina defeated Priscilla Hon, 6-0, 6-2; Alina Charaeva, 6-2, 7-5; Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6-3, 6-2; and Rebeka Masarova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, to advance to the final.

READ MORE | Alex Eala at the WTA 125 Birmingham Open: Schedule and Draw

—JKC, GMA News