Alex Eala looks to replicate her Miami success at the Madrid Open, taking on world no. 64 Viktoriya Tomova to start another WTA 1000 event
Alex Eala begins her 2025 Mutua Madrid Open campaign with a high-stakes Round of 128 clash against seasoned Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova — a first-time matchup that pits youth against experience on the red clay.
The 19-year-old Eala, who recently broke into the Top 75 and is now ranked world no. 72, will face a tough clay-court test yet against the 30-year-old Tomova, a tour veteran boasting nearly 500 career singles wins and a current WTA ranking of no. 64.
Tomova has peaked as high as no. 46 in the world and brings a wealth of experience that Eala has yet to match.
But while Tomova has the edge in tenure, Eala enters the match with better form in 2025.
The Filipina teen has posted a solid 14-8 record this season — highlighted by a semifinal run in Miami that included a stunning upset of world no. 2 Iga Swiatek — while Tomova has struggled early, logging just five wins against nine losses.
For Eala, it’s a chance to prove her Miami run wasn’t a fluke as she starts another WTA 1000 tournament as a wild card. The Eala-Tomova clash is pegged for 5:00 p.m. Tuesday (PH time).
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[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]