Eala battles Siegemund to begin Miami Open campaign

FILIPINO tennis ace Alexandra “Alex” Eala will face German Laura Siegemund to begin her WTA 1000 Miami Open campaign in the United States.

Seeded 31st in the tournament with a first-round bye, the 20-year-old Eala will likely take on the 38-year-old Siegemund on Friday or Saturday.

Siegemund forged the round of 64 clash against Eala after dispatching Croatian Petra Marcinko in their first-round encounter, 6-4, 6-4, on Wednesday.

It would be the first match between world No. 29 Eala and No. 53 Siegemund.

While Eala has the youthful advantage, Siegemund possesses veteran smarts and experience highlighted by two WTA titles and 16 more in doubles.

Siegemund also went as high as No. 27 in the rankings back in August 2016.

The veteran hitter can still bring it against the younger field, and her win over Eala’s fellow 20-year-old in Marcinko proves that.

Had Marcinko won, she would have forged a rematch against Eala, who defeated her at the ASB Classic round of 16, 6-0, 6-2, last January.

Like Eala, Siegemund also competed at the BNP Paribas Open where she yielded to Elina Svitonlina, 6(5)-7, 6-4, 3-6, in the round of 64.

She defeated Marcinko in the round of 128 of the tourney, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

On the other hand, Eala topped Dayana Yastremska, 5-7, 6-4, in the round of 64 and walked over Coco Gauff, 6-2, 2-0, in the round of 32.

Eala then fell to Linda Nosokova, 2-6, 0-6, in the round of 16 to end her campaign.

Eala could be in for a Miami Open rematch and third overall clash against world No. 3 Iga Swiatek.

That will happen if Eala defeats Siegemund and the second seed Swiatek tops Magda Linette in their round of 64 encounter.

Click here to read article