Alex Eala is through to the Round of 64 at the 2026 Miami Open and will next face a familiar foe in Magda Linette in the Round of 32.
Linette of Poland is a familiar foe because she and Eala have faced three times in the past two years already, with the Polish ace holding a 2-1 lead in their head-to-head.
The first of their three meetings happened in 2024 in Abu Dhabi, where Linette won in straight sets. Then, last year, the Polish ace got the better of the Filipina again, this time at the grass courts of Lexus Nottingham Open in Round of 32.
This year, Eala finally beat Linette, doing so in the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic in New Zealand.
Alex Eala, Magda Linette Notch Round of 62 Wins
Alex Eala won her first assignment in the Miami Open as she defeated Laura Siegemund in three grueling sets. Magda Linette, meanwhile, pulled off a 1-6, 7-5, and 6-3 upset win against world No. 2 Iga Swiatek to set up the Round of 32 matchup with the 20-year-old Filipina.
With both Eala and Linette coming of tense, exhausting debuts, it will be interesting to watch who between the two is able to recover faster and be in top form once the match starts. The Polish veteran, though, might have the slight advantage as her victory over Swiatek, widely regarded as one of the top talents of the women’s game, is the kind of confidence booster that could propel a player to great heights.
So, while Magda Linette isn’t the No. 2-ranked player of the world that Swiatek is, she is sure to provide a formidable challenge to the Rafa Nadal Academy alum.
Alex Eala Next Match
Miami Open [Round of 32]
Alex Eala vs Magda Linette
March 21, Thursday with time TBD
