By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala is hoping for the same result when she plays a familiar Swiss rival in the W15 Manacor tournament in Spain.
Eala, who earned a main draw berth as a junior reserve, collides with third seed Simona Waltert in the opening round of the 32-player field starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday,
This would be the second time that Eala will be facing Waltert in the circuit. They first met in a more competitive $25,000 tournament also in Manacor last week where the 15-year-old PH bet stunned the more experienced Swiss player in that opening-round duel, 6-1, 6-4.
Eala, however, lost to Croatian third seed Jana Fett in three sets in the Round of 16.
This time, Filipina teen sensation is expected to come out stronger for a repeat performance against Waltert with hopes of a second pro title.
Her first pro crown came last January in a similar W15 event also in Manacor.
Waltert, 20, is currently ranked No. 285 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) as against Eala’s No. 765.
The Swiss’ last title came in the third leg of a similar W15 event in Manacor late January.
