Alex Eala braces for grueling Thursday double-header in WTA 250 ASB Classic 

Alex Eala is bracing for one of the most demanding—and potentially career-shaping—days of her young WTA journey as the 20-year-old Filipina lines up for a rare twin double-header in both singles and doubles at the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Eala enters the day riding the confidence of a breakthrough performance in the Round of 32, where she outlasted former world No. 17 Donna Vekić in a tense three-set encounter, 4–6, 6–4, 6–4. 

The win did more than move her forward in the draw—it signaled her growing composure under pressure and her readiness to compete with established names on tour.

That momentum will be put to the test in the Round of 16 when Eala faces Croatian teenager Petra Marčinko, tentatively scheduled for 8:00 a.m. on Center Court. 

A former junior standout, Marčinko is known for her consistency and court coverage, setting up a contrast in styles against Eala’s aggressive baseline game and improving shot tolerance. For Eala, the matchup offers another opportunity to validate her recent progress against a rising peer on the WTA stage.

The challenge, however, extends well beyond singles.

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Alexandra Eala claws back the match in a first round three set thriller! #ASBClassic26 pic.twitter.com/6sFUBawPTX

— ASB Classic (@ASB_Classic) January 6, 2026

With little margin for recovery, Eala is also slated to return to court later in the morning for the doubles quarterfinals, where she teams up with American teen Iva Jović for a 10:00 a.m. Grandstand clash against Tereza Malečková of Czechia and Mexico’s Renata Zarazúa.

Eala and Jović have emerged as one of the surprise pairings of the tournament, drawing attention after eliminating veteran stars Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina in the previous round. 

Their chemistry, aggressive net play, and fearlessness against more experienced opponents have made them a compelling storyline heading into the quarters.

Balancing two high-stakes matches in a single day will test Eala’s endurance, preparation, and mental resilience—key traits for players aiming to establish themselves on tour. Success in either, or both, formats would mark another step forward in her development and underline her growing versatility as a modern competitor.

As the stakes rise in Auckland, Eala’s twin double-header stands as both a challenge and an opportunity—one that could further announce her arrival as a Filipina talent ready to make consistent noise on the global stage.

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