Italian Open 2026: Alexandra Eala secures first career win in Rome in three

Alexandra Eala is up and running at the 2026 Italian Open, beating Magdalena Fręch in two hours and seven minutes in their first round meeting.

After storming to a first-set bagel, World number 42 Eala had to go the distance and emerged victorious in the decider, prevailing 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 at the WTA 1000 tennis tournament on Wednesday (6 May).

Philippines star Eala lost on her tournament debut in Rome last year against Marta Kostyuk, but there was no such issue this time, with just her third victory of the season's clay swing. She converted six break points including on the final service of the match from world number 45 Fręch of Poland.

The 20-year-old Eala will face 31st seed Wang Xinyu in round two, seeking her first head-to-head victory after losing to the Chinese player in the Auckland semi-finals in January.

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