Alex Eala opens clay campaign as top seed in Portugal, faces Koevermans in WTA return

Fresh off a sensational run in the Miami Open, 19-year-old Filipino tennis star Alex Eala is back in action—and this time, she’s stepping onto the clay with a new badge of honor: a Top 75 WTA ranking and a no. 1 seed next to her name.

Eala, who skyrocketed to a career-best world no. 72 after her semifinal finish in the prestigious WTA 1000 tournament in Miami last month, begins her clay court campaign with a Round of 32 clash in the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal against Dutch player Anouk Koevermans on Monday afternoon, Manila time. 

The match marks not only her return to competition but also a historic first—this is the first time Eala has entered a WTA event as the top seed.

Her breakthrough in Miami came as a Wild Card entrant, where she shocked the tennis world with upset victories over elite opponents, including world no. 5 Madison Keys and former world no. 1 Iga Swiatek. 

Eala’s gritty run to the semifinals not only put her on the global tennis radar, but also catapulted her from outside the top 100 all the way into the WTA’s upper tier—a jump from world no. 140 to 72 in a matter of weeks.

Now, with a target on her back, Eala will test her form on clay, a surface that demands a new level of discipline and patience. 

It’s also a timely transition, as the young Filipina gears up for what will be her maiden appearance in a Grand Slam main draw at the French Open next month. 

This tournament serves as a key tune-up in her preparations for Roland-Garros, where the competition and conditions will be at their toughest.

Standing in her way in the opening round is Koevermans, a 22-year-old Dutch tennister currently ranked no. 182 in the world. 

While unseeded, Koevermans brings her own set of credentials, having won two singles titles and a doubles crown on the ITF circuit. 

Known for her baseline consistency and competitive grit, Koevermans will look to play the spoiler in what could be a trap match for the top-seeded Eala.

For Eala, though, the challenge is not just about adapting to a new surface, but also about managing expectations. After a career-defining stretch in Miami, she enters this tournament with an entirely different aura—one of a contender, not a surprise package. 

Still searching for her first WTA title, Eala is expected to lean on her ever-improving all-around game, composed mental approach, and growing confidence against higher-ranked opposition.

Indeed, with the French Open looming and a rising trajectory that shows no signs of slowing down, this tournament marks another key checkpoint in Eala’s transition from a promising junior Grand Slam champion to a legitimate WTA tour force.

A win against Koevermans would not only mark a solid start to her clay campaign but also set the tone for what could be another deep run—this time, as the player to beat.

(With reports from Luisa Morales)

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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]