Filipina tennis star Alex Eala during her match against Poland's Magda Linette at the 2026 Miami Open, March 22, 2026. Eala defeated Linette, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2). Photo courtesy of Roman Garay
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala faces a formidable opening-round assignment after drawing Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen of China in the first round of the WTA 500 Mubadala DC Open following Saturday’s main draw.
The matchup is expected to be one of the marquee first-round contests of the tournament as Eala begins her North American hard-court campaign leading up to the US Open.
Zheng, currently ranked No. 123 in the world, missed several tournaments following an elbow injury after Wimbledon 2025 that eventually required surgery. Since returning to competition in February, the 23-year-old Chinese star has struggled to regain her form, suffering first-round exits at both the French Open and Wimbledon in 2026.
Zheng reached a career-high world No. 4 after winning the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and finishing runner-up at the 2024 Australian Open before her recent injury-fueled slide down the rankings.
Alex Eala turns focus to hardcourt swing, US Open
FILIPINO CROWD AT MUBADALA DC OPEN PRACTICE
Filipinos from the Washington, D.C. area and neighboring states flocked to the Mubadala DC Open to watch Eala’s practice session ahead of the WTA 500 tournament.
Eala was followed by excited fans from the moment she walked out of the players’ lounge all the way to the practice courts, where she trained for an hour with American Ashlyn Krueger, currently ranked No. 66 in the world.
Coach Joan Bosch of the Rafa Nadal Academy was on court guiding Eala through her session, which included routine forehand and backhand drills, volleys, returns, and point construction.
Filipino supporters crowded outside the practice court, thrilled to catch a glimpse of the Filipina tennis sensation.
“We are so proud of her. Keep going, Alex!” one fan shouted.
“She is such an inspiration,” said a young Filipina supporter. “I don’t even play tennis, but I love the way she fights on the court.”
After the practice, tournament security carefully managed the growing crowd as fans lined up for photos and autographs. Despite the large turnout, Eala took time to sign as many autographs as she could before leaving the court.
Alex Eala pens message for Filipino supporters as she leaves PH for next tournament
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