Alex Eala will play her Round of 32 doubles match at the WTA 1000 Mutua Madrid Open alongside her former doubles partner Zeynep Sonmez.
What many fans may not know is that Eala and Sonmez have actually paired up before—during their days competing on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) circuit.
The Filipino-Turkish partnership made two appearances together at the ITF level: a semifinals finish at the 2023 ITF Kyotec Open in Luxembourg and a quarterfinals exit at the 2024 W50 Trnava in Slovakia. However, Eala and Sonmez have yet to team up in the WTA level, although that hasn’t kept the two from building a genuine friendship off the court.
Sonmez is currently ranked No. 498 in doubles, while Eala sits at No. 101. Standing across the net from them will be the pairing of Hao-Ching Chan and Fanny Stollár.
Hao-Ching Chan and Fanny Stollár: Proven Champions Teaming Up
It will be the first time the Taiwanese-Hungarian duo partners together—but make no mistake, this is a formidable combination. Individually, both players carry an impressive doubles pedigree.
The 38-year-old Chan is currently ranked No. 37 in doubles. Her most recent title came at a WTA 125 event in Austin in March 2026, where she paired with Miyo Kato. She also won two doubles titles in 2024—the WTA 250 Hobart International and the WTA 500 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.
The 27-year-old Stollár, ranked No. 27, has eight doubles titles to her name. In 2025, she claimed both the WTA 250 Hertogenbosch and the WTA 125 Trophée Clarins. She also has four WTA 250 Budapest titles to her name, winning the event in 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024.
Eala and Sonmez may be the closer friends off the court—but on it, they will face a battle-tested pairing with far more doubles experience between them. That is the challenge ahead on Thursday.
Alex Eala’s Next Match
WTA 1000 Madrid Open — Round of 32, Doubles
Alex Eala and Zeynep Sonmez vs. Hao-Ching Chan and Fanny Stollár
Thursday, April 23, 2026 (TBD)
