March 4, 2026
MANILA – Alex Eala opens her campaign in the Indian Wells Open against the winner between China’s Zhang Shuai and Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska.
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Eala received a first-round bye in her Indian Wells debut and returns to action on Saturday as she competes in her third consecutive WTA 1000 event this year.
Yastremska is World No.52, while Zhang is currently World No.62 and a three-time champion.
The 20-year-old Filipino is in the same bracket as fourth seed Coco Gauff, whom she could face again if both advance. Gauff will take on the winner of Canada’s Bianca Andreescu and a qualifier.
The Filipino tennis ace got dominated by Gauff, her former doubles partner, 6-0, 6-2, in the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The Rafa Nadal Academy graduate is also expected to compete in the Miami Open next–the tournament where her rise started after making history as a wildcard who beat Grand Slam champions.