ALEX Eala drew Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova in the opening round of the WTA 500 Internationaux de Strasbourg - her fifth tournament of the clay season.
The matchup was finalized after Canada’s Victoria Mboko, the tournament’s top seed and world No. 9, withdrew from the France event.
READ Eala puts up gallant fight in loss to world No. 2 Rybakina
Eala, ranked No. 42 in the world and first on the qualifying list, was elevated straight into the main draw after Mboko's withdrawal.
Strasbourg is expected to be Eala’s final tournament before her second professional appearance at Roland Garros.
It also follows campaigns in Austria, Germany, Madrid, and Italy, where she reached the third round of the Italian Open - her best in the clay season so far.
The meeting will be the first between the Filipina and the world No. 68 Oliynykova, with both players still chasing their maiden WTA Tour singles title.
Eala’s biggest title so far remains the WTA 125 crown she captured in Guadalajara in September 2025.
Oliynykova booked her place in the main draw after surviving two qualifying rounds, including a 6-4, 6-4 win over Yulia Putintseva on Sunday.
Eala, meanwhile, last competed in the round of 32 of the Italian Open last week, where she bowed to world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, 4-6, 3-6.
While the official schedule has yet to be finalized, Alex and Oleksandra are expected to face off either Monday or Tuesday, May 18 or 19, Manila time.
Strasbourg is Eala 13th tournament for the year following stints in Auckland, Australia, Manila, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Dubai, Indian Wells, and Miami before clay season.
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