Alex Eala, Venus Williams open Canadian Open doubles campaign

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala is back on center court in Toronto, this time alongside a legend.

Eala and partner Venus Williams return as a doubles team at the 2026 Canadian Open on Friday, with their round-of-32 match scheduled no earlier than 8 a.m. (Manila time).

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“I’m really, really excited to be playing doubles with her again. Every opportunity I get to share the court with her is super cherished,” Eala said. “She’s super good, and I think she’s got a great mentality and there’s so much I can learn from her.”

The Filipino-American duo takes on Liudmila Samsonova and Japan’s Miyu Kato.

It will be Eala’s second appearance on center court after opening her singles campaign with a three-set victory over Alycia Parks on Thursday.

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The stands for her first match at the WTA 1000 event were packed to the brim with Filipino fans, and Eala expects another electric atmosphere when she takes the court with Williams.

“So really excited to be doing that, and in a different setting. I think it will be very fun. I think with the Filipino community and the amazing fans that she has, I think it will be a great atmosphere,” Eala said.

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Eala and Williams are teaming up for the second time since the Bad Homburg Open in Germany, where they reached the quarterfinals.

They were also slated to reunite at the Mubadala DC Open before Eala withdrew from the doubles draw to focus on singles, where she captured her first WTA Tour title.