Camille Naredo

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala during her match against Poland's Magda Linette at the 2026 Miami Open, March 22, 2026. Eala defeated Linette, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2). Photo courtesy of Roman Garay

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala during her match against Poland's Magda Linette at the 2026 Miami Open, March 22, 2026. Eala defeated Linette, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2).

Article (news)

Miami Open

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774258661257_DSC0137.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipina tennis star Alex Eala during her match against Poland&#x27;s Magda Linette at the 2026 Miami Open, March 22, 2026. Eala defeated Linette, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2). Photo courtesy of Roman Garay" width="960"/>Filipina tennis star Alex Eala during her match against Poland&#x27;s Magda Linette at the 2026 Miami Open, March 22, 2026. Eala defeated Linette, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2). Photo courtesy of Roman Garay</div>MANILA -- Alex Eala and her team are preparing for another major test as she moves forward in the 2026 Miami Open.This time, it will be against world No. 14 and recent Qatar Open champion Karolina Muchova, whom Eala will play on the grandstand court in the round of 16.Like Eala, Muchova has been in strong form in the 2026 season. The 29-year-old Czech arrives in Miami with a Doha title and an impressive 14–3 win-loss record.Eala, meanwhile, continues her steady rise. Her best result this season is a semifinal finish in ASB Classic in January — along with statement wins over Top 10 players Jasmine Paolini and Coco Gauff. She holds a 12–7 record for the year.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/23/alex-eala-embraces-mental-toll-of-tennis-in-pursuit-of-greater-maturity-continued-growth-1244">READ: Alex Eala embraces mental toll of tennis in pursuit of greater maturity, continued growth</a></div>Muchova, however, is a different kind of challenge for the Filipina ace.&quot;This one is going to be different,&quot; said coach Joan Bosch. &quot;She won Doha. She&#x27;s a very good player. We&#x27;ve never played against her. She has the ranking now. We have to find a way to build the challenge — because Alex plays well with challenges.&quot;&quot;We have to study how she plays and find the right tactics to put her in problems,&quot; he added.Eala will not be lacking in confidence after an impressive win over Poland&#x27;s Magda Linette in the third round. What followed was a day of preparation for the Filipina, according to her coach.&quot;We just practiced today,&quot; Bosch said. &quot;She did fitness, and she still has physio. Every day is a challenge in this competition.&quot;Eala plays Muchova at 11:00 p.m. (Manila time).

Alex Eala and her team are preparing for another major test as she moves forward in the 2026 Miami Open.

Alex Eala and her team are preparing for another major test as she moves forward in the 2026 Miami Open.

Alex Eala's team ready to find answers against Muchova test

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Alex Eala's team ready to find answers against Muchova test

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 23, 2026 05:38 PM PHT

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abssports

tennis

Miami Open

Alex Eala

Karolina Muchova

Joan Bosch

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