By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala faces her toughest rival to date as she clashes with former world No. 5 Sara Errani of Italy in the first qualifying round of the Miami Open 2024 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida on Monday, March 18 (Manila time).
The 18-year-old Filipino sensation earned a wildcard berth in the qualifiers – her fourth straight year to compete in the WTA1000 event.
Last year, she earned a wildcard in the main draw round but lost to Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round.
Against Errani who twice older than Eala and a veteran of many Grand Slam events, Eala needs to produce an extraordinary performance to prevail.
In fact, Errani was a former world No. 1 doubles player, having won five Grand Slam titles with fellow Italian Roberta Vinci, and a singles finalist in the 2012 Roland Garros where she lost to Maria Sharapova.
Overall, she won nine singles titles and 29 doubles crowns.
The winner will face either United States’ Kayla Day, who is ranked No. 88, and Colombia’s Emiliana Arango, who is ranked No. 121.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and defending champion Daniil Medvedev will headline this year’s field, which also has world No. 2 players Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys.
