Camille Naredo

Alexandra Eala face Tereza Valentova during the WTA 1000 Qatar Open at Center Court of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 9, 2026. Dianne Obdin, ABS-CBN News

Alexandra Eala face Tereza Valentova during the WTA 1000 Qatar Open at Center Court of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 9, 2026.
Eala failed to advance to the next round after losing to Valentova for the second time, with a score of 6-7, 1-6.  Dianne Obdin, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ALEX EALA

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177251102139820260210-wta1000-qatar-open-alex-eala-DO1770638731175074.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Alexandra Eala face Tereza Valentova during the WTA 1000 Qatar Open at Center Court of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 9, 2026. Dianne Obdin, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>Alexandra Eala face Tereza Valentova during the WTA 1000 Qatar Open at Center Court of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 9, 2026. Dianne Obdin, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA -- Filipina tennis star Alex Eala received a first-round bye in Indian Wells, sending her straight to the second round of the main draw. Eala, who is seeded 31st in the BNP Paribas Open, will face the winner of the first round match between China&#x27;s Zhang Shuai and Ukraine&#x27;s Dayana Yastremska -- two experienced campaigners on the WTA Tour.World No. 62 Zhang is a three-time WTA singles champion and a Grand Slam doubles winner who has reached the quarterfinals of both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in singles.Yastremska, currently ranked 52nd, reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2024.Should Eala hurdle her opponent in the second round, on the horizon for her is a possible rematch with American star Coco Gauff.No. 4 seed Gauff also received a first-round bye and will open her campaign against either Canada&#x27;s Bianca Andreescu or a qualifier. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/2/20/alex-eala-bows-out-of-dubai-championships-in-loss-to-gauff-0031">READ: Alex Eala bows out of Dubai Championships in loss to Coco Gauff</a></div>Gauff had clobbered Eala, 6-0, 6-2, when they met in the quarterfinals in Dubai last month. World No. 8 Mirra Andreeva of Russia is the defending champion at Indian Wells.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala received a first-round bye in Indian Wells, sending her straight to the second round of the main draw.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala received a first-round bye in Indian Wells, sending her straight to the second round of the main draw.

Tennis: Alex Eala gets round 1 bye, opens Indian Wells bid vs. Zhang Shuai or Yastremska

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Tennis: Alex Eala gets round 1 bye, opens Indian Wells bid vs. Zhang Shuai or Yastremska

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 03, 2026 12:11 PM PHT

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abssports

tennis

Indian Wells

BNP Paribas Open

Alex Eala

Coco Gauff

Dayana Yastremska

Zhang Shuai

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