Alex Eala will start her women’s singles campaign at the BNP Paribas Open against Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska. This comes after the world No. 52 defeated China’s Zhang Shuai, 6-3, 6-2, in their Round 1 clash on Thursday at Stadium 4 of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Yastremska was in full control against Shuai, netting five aces, winning 22 of 33 first-serve points, and winning half of all points scored in the match to march on to Round 2, where Eala awaits. The 20-year-old Filipina, currently ranked No. 32 in the world, drew a first-round bye.
Yastremska Is a Familiar Foe
The Ukrainian tennis ace is a familiar foe for Alex Eala, as the two have met once. That meeting took place in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Eastbourne Open, with the Quezon City native pulling out a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory.
That win propelled Eala to the semis of said tournament, where she beat Varvara Gracheva, 7–5, 2–6, 6–3, to reach the final, where she then lost in heartbreaking fashion to Maya Joint, 6–4, 1–6, 7–6(10). Eala’s deep run in Eastbourne pushed her into the Top 50 for the first time in her career and continued the momentum she first built in the Miami Open.
Alex Eala Needs to Dictate Action
If history and play styles are any indication, then Yastremska should be a favorable matchup for Alex Eala. That’s because the Ukrainian’s high-velocity, high-risk style plays directly into the Filipina’s greatest strengths: rhythm absorption and tactical defense. As a natural counter-puncher with exceptional footwork, Eala excels at using her opponent’s pace against them, as she did in their first and only meeting. By denying Yastremska early points, Eala forced the 25-year-old to commit unforced errors on her way to the win.
But if Alex Eala wants to repeat her win over Yastremska, she’ll need to be disciplined on her returns and make sure to get as many balls back into play as possible to maximize the pressure and maybe force the Ukrainian to commit more errors. The objective is to extend the rallies and keep the unforced error count lopsided—as she did in their 6–1, 6–2 Eastbourne clash.
Eala will start her campaign at Indian Wells over the weekend, with the complete schedule still to be announced.
