Alex Eala will team up with Nikola Bartunkova for the first time and will face Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden in the doubles main draw of the WTA 125 Lexus Birmingham Open.
Odds Not in Favor of Eala and Bartunkova
Eala and Bartunkova figure to face a significant challenge, as neither player has found much success in doubles competition on grass courts. Even more, they are teaming up only for the first time.
Eala, the pride of the Philippines, posted an 0-2 record in doubles on grass last year. She was eliminated in the Lexus Birmingham Open alongside Rebeka Masarova, while she and Eva Lys also suffered an early exit in the doubles draw of Wimbledon.
While the world No. 37 compiled a 4-6 record on grass courts, those results came in singles competition. Doubles presents a completely different challenge and requires a different dynamic on the court.
As for Bartunkova, she has yet to play a professional doubles match on grass. The Czech player has competed on the surface in singles, but her last grass-court appearance came in 2023, when she posted a 1-1 record.
With those factors, the Eala-Bartunkova partnership could face an uphill battle in its very first outing together.
Solid Pairing of Dart and Lumsden
As for Dart and Lumsden, the British tandem has already competed together in eight WTA tournaments since 2024. They have won one title and have one runner-up finish.
Dart, who is ranked No. 109 in doubles, and Lumsden, who sits at No. 64, have already shown they possess the formula for success as a partnership. Their lone title came at the WTA 125 Caldas da Rainha Ladies Open last year, where they defeated the pairing of Madeleine Brooks and Anastasia Tikhonova in the final. Their runner-up finish, meanwhile, came at the WTA 125 Samsun Open, where Naima Karamoko and Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah emerged victorious.
On grass courts, the British duo has also produced impressive results, highlighted by a semifinal appearance at the Lexus Birmingham Open last year. However, they were eliminated in the first round of both the 2025 Wimbledon Grand Slam and the 2024 Birmingham Classic.
Overall, Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden appear to hold the advantage over Alex Eala and Nikola Bartunkova. However, tennis fans have witnessed the 21-year-old Filipina pull off remarkable performances in previous tournaments.
As Alex Eala opens her grass-court campaign this year, fans can once again look forward to an exciting and potentially memorable battle.
Alex Eala Next Match
Tournament: WTA 125 Lexus Birmingham Open
Date and Time: Monday, June 1, 5:30 p.m. (Time subject to change)
Category: Doubles (Main Draw, Round of 16)
Game: Alex Eala and Nikola Bartunkova vs. Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden
