RIDING the momentum of a breakthrough opener, Alex Eala moves forward into the Italian Open Round of 64 for the first time in her career.
This, though, comes with another stern test waiting in fellow Asian campaigner Wang Xinyu.
The two are set for only their second career meeting, with Wang escaping Eala in a three-setter, 5-7, 7-5, 6-4, earlier this season in the ASB Classic.
World No. 33 Wang enters the clash as one of the seeded players and opened her Rome bid straight in the second round after receiving a bye, while Eala punched her ticket after outlasting Poland’s Magdalena Frech, 6-0, 3-6, 6-4.
READ: Alex Eala survives tricky test vs Frech, advances in Italian Open
Wang, for her part, is coming off a Round-of-16 finish at the La Bisbal d'Emporda Tournament, where she bowed to Alina Charaeva.
The Italian Open marks Eala’s 12th tournament of the season and her fourth stop on clay following campaigns in Upper Austria Ladies Linz, Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, and the Madrid Open.
Wang and Eala are scheduled to meet on Friday, 5:00 PM (Manila time).
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