Two familiar rivals are set to renew their budding rivalry in the main draw of the Berlin Tennis Open as Philippine tennis star Alex Eala squares off against Croatia’s Donna Vekic.
The two have already met twice earlier this year, with Eala coming out on top on both occasions at the ASB Classic and the Kooyong Classic.
Donna Vekic: An Experienced Competitor
Earning the nickname “Tita Donna” from Filipino fans during her appearance at the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open, Donna Vekic has continued to enjoy a solid run on the WTA Tour.
The four-time WTA champion owns a career grass-court title, having captured the 2017 Nottingham Open. This season, the 29-year-old Croatian has posted a 5-1 record on grass, showcasing her comfort on the surface.
As of writing, Vekic is competing in the final of the HSBC Championships against Emma Raducanu—giving her a chance to add another trophy to her collection before her upcoming clash with Eala.
Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Quezon City native has also enjoyed success during this grass-court swing, highlighted by her title run at the WTA 125 Lexus Birmingham Open.
Eala’s most recent campaign ended in the Round of 16 of the HSBC Championships, where she fell to close friend Iva Jovic.
With both players already familiar with each other’s games, their meeting in Berlin promises to be an exciting encounter as they renew their rivalry for the third time this year.
Alex Eala Next Match
Alex Eala vs. Donna Vekic
Tournament: WTA 500 Berlin Tennis Open
Date: Monday, June 15 (Time to be decided)
Category: Singles (Round of 32, Main Draw)
