By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
After making quite an impression in the juniors division, it’s now time for Alex Eala to prove her worth in a bigger and more challenging stage as she vies in her first women’s Grand Slam event – the Australian Open.
Eala won the US Open Juniors crown last year apart winning two Grand Slam doubles titles — the 2020 Australian Open with Indonesian partner Priska Nugroho and the 2021 French Open with Russian Oksana Selekhmeteva.
But whether those credentials are enough to begin a new chapter in her pro career will be known starting Monday, Jan. 9, as she goes up against a 31-year-old Japanese rival in the opening of Australian Open’s two qualifying rounds in Melbourne.
Her rival is ranked No. 172 in the world so it is paramount for Eala to put her best foot forward if she is to play in the main draw of the first Grand Slam event.
Though the world No. 215-ranked Eala is expected to bring her experience from playing in several pro events over the past years, she remains wary of her veteran rival who has been a regular Grand Slam competitor since 2010.
Doi’s recent best Grand Slam finish, however, is a Round of 64 appearance at the 2021 US Open.
A victory for Eala would earn her a second-round meeting with the winner between Brazil’s Laura Pegossi and Belgium’s Magali Kempen.
Last week, Eala failed to make it to the main draw of the W60 Canberra after she was ambushed in the second qualifyjng round.
She, however, has two pro titles from the W15 Manacor in 2021 and the W25 Chiang Rai in 2022.
