After her semifinal exit at the Berlin Tennis Open courtesy of Linda Noskova, Alex Eala will now shift her focus to the Bad Homburg Open, where she is set to face Elise Mertens in the main draw.
Eala was originally scheduled to compete in doubles with the legendary Venus Williams. However, the Filipina had to withdraw after her deep run at the Berlin Tennis Open. As a result, the two-time WTA 125 champion will no longer participate in the doubles competition.
Eala and Mertens previously faced each other earlier this year in the opening round of the Madrid Open, where the Belgian comfortably defeated the Filipina in straight sets.
Another Rematch for Eala in Germany
Throughout Alex Eala’s grass-court campaign this season, she has faced several opponents whom she had already faced.
At the Berlin Tennis Open, the 21-year-old Filipina finally broke through against world No. 2 Elena Rybakina and also continued her winning streak against Donna Vekic. However, finding a solution against Linda Nosková proved difficult, as the Czech star eliminated her in the semifinals.
This time, the Rafa Nadal Academy graduate gets another opportunity to avenge her earlier loss to Elise Mertens at the Madrid Open this year, as well as her 2023 defeat in the main draw of the Monastir Open.
Mertens currently owns 35 WTA titles, with the 30-year-old capturing the 2025 Libéma Open as her lone grass-court championship. The world No. 24 currently holds a 2-2 record on grass this season, as she has also been actively competing in doubles events.
Meanwhile, Eala received a wildcard entry to the tournament. The world No. 35 enters the main draw carrying momentum and confidence after reaching her first-ever WTA 500 semifinal appearance. She also arrives with the best grass-court record of her career so far, tallying nine wins against only two losses.
Alex Eala Next Match
Alex Eala vs. Elise Mertens
Tournament: WTA 500 Bad Homburg Open
Date: Monday, June 22 (Time to be determined.)
Category: Singles (Round of 32, Main Draw)
