After exiting the singles competition in the Round of 32 of the WTA 1000 Italian Open, Alex Eala now shifts her focus to a new challenge as she competes in the doubles event of the same tournament alongside former opponent Hailey Baptiste.
Alex Eala and Hailey Baptiste: Opponents Turned Teammates
The Alex Eala–Hailey Baptiste tandem has previously faced each other three times—twice in singles competition and once in doubles—with the pride of the Philippines holding a 2–1 advantage in their head-to-head record.
This time, however, the situation is entirely different.
Eala, currently ranked world No. 88 in doubles, has won five of her nine doubles matches this year. The 20-year-old last competed in doubles on April 25, when she and Zeynep Sönmez were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Kateřina Siniaková and Taylor Townsend.
Meanwhile, Baptiste holds a 3–3 record in doubles matches this season, with her most recent appearance coming at the Miami Open last March, where she exited in the Round of 32.
Still, the 24-year-old American has already captured three WTA doubles titles in her career. Baptiste won the Veneto Open in 2024, the Dow Tennis Classic in 2023, and her first career doubles title at the clay-court MUSC Health Women’s Open in 2021.
Kateřina Siniaková and Taylor Townsend: A Force to Be Reckoned With
This year, Eala already saw firsthand what the decorated duo of Kateřina Siniaková and Taylor Townsend can do as she and good friend Zeynep Sönmez proved no match for the experienced pair as they lost, 6-1, 7-5, in the Round of 16 of the Mutua Madrid Open.
Since forming their partnership in 2024, the Czech-American tandem has already captured six WTA doubles titles together. Their most recent triumph came at this year’s Madrid Open.
To make matters even more daunting, Siniaková and Townsend currently hold the world No. 1 and No. 2 rankings in doubles, respectively.
Whoever emerges victorious in this Round of 32 matchup will advance to face the Romanian pair of Sorana Cîrstea and Jaqueline Cristian, who defeated Tyra Caterina Grant and Jennifer Ruggeri, 6–4, 6–4, in their respective match.
Alex Eala Next Match
Tournament: WTA 1000 Italian Open
Match: Alex Eala and Hailey Baptiste vs. Kateřina Siniaková and Taylor Townsend (Doubles Round of 32)
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. (Time subject to change.)
