The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala will clash for the first time with tennis legend Venus Williams in the doubles at the start of the 2026 ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand on Monday.
Eala will team up with American netter Iva Jovic in her featured matchup with Williams and her teammate Elina Svitolina in an early morning showdown at the Manuka Doctor Arena Center Court.
It will be an interesting encounter, considering Williams is making a significant return to tennis in early 2026, with the ASB Classic marking the start of her comeback at 45 years old.
Williams, who recovered from an injury last year, also got a wildcard for the Australian Open, her first appearance in Melbourne in five years, making her the oldest woman to play in the main draw.
Having seen limited single play in recent months, Williams is coming back shortly after her marriage to actor Andrea Preti. She could face Eala again, if both reach the quarterfinals in the singles.
After the doubles, the world no. 53 Eala, whose career earnings have reached more than $US1.363 million (around P80.201 million), will meet highly favored Croatian Donna Vekić in the first round of their women’s singles match.
Known to be an aggressive baseliner with her powerful groundstrokes and attacking mentality, Vekic is ahead with her world ranking at no. 17.
If she prevails, Eala will take on next the winner between Croatian Petra Marcinko and Colombian Ma. Camilla Osorio Soriano.
So far, Eala seeks to get season started right after finishing 2025 with her biggest earnings so far, at $907,777 (P53.388 million).
The 20-year-old Eala got this much following an breakthrough 2025 season, which included a historic run to the semifinals of the Miami Open in March, being a finalist at the Eastbourne 250, and winning her first WTA 125 title in Guadalajara.
Eala also made her main draw debut at the US Open and secured her first Grand Slam match victory, which yielded her over $154,000 (₱8.7 million) in prize money.
