Alex Eala expects ‘tough’ test vs Leylah Fernandez at DC Open

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala eyes a different result when she faces defending champion Leylah Fernandez in the Mubadala DC Open round of 16 late Wednesday (Manila time).

The last time she faced the Filipino-Canadian player, Eala fell in straight sets at the WTA 500 Stuttgart Open, a warm-up tournament for the French Open last April.

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In their second meeting, they will square off on the hard courts of Washington, D.C., with Eala expecting another tough battle against Fernandez, a fellow left-hander whose game closely resembles her own.

“I think it’s going to be a very tough match for me. Leylah’s such an amazing player and an amazing person as well,” Eala said.

Coming off a grueling three-set victory over Zheng Qinwen that lasted two hours and 26 minutes, Eala knows recovery will be key ahead of her second-round match, scheduled not earlier than 11 p.m.

“I think right now, my first priority is to recover, take care of my body so that I can arrive in the best shape possible to compete,” Eala said.

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Eala battled back from a first-set loss to oust former world No. 4 Zheng of China, while Fernandez cruised past Magda Linette, 6-1, 6-4, in her opening match.

The Filipino tennis star is playing her first tournament in North America as part of her buildup to the US Open in August.