IT’S an all-Filipino showdown in Alex Eala’s debut at the WTA 125 Lexus Ilkley Open in Great Britain.
Eala, the tournament’s top seed and currently ranked No. 77 in the world, will go up against Lizette Cabrera, born in Townsville, Australia to Filipino parents, on Tuesday night at 10:30 PM.
Cabrera, who is ranked No. 206 in the world, advanced from the qualifying draw to secure a spot in the main bracket, where she was matched against Eala for the first time.
The two previously teamed up in doubles back in 2022.
Born and raised in Townsville, Australia, to Filipino parents, the 27-year-old Cabrera has over eight years of professional tennis experience.
READ: Meet Lizette Cabrera, the full-blooded Filipina representing Australia in grand slams
Eala is aiming to bounce back after a first-round loss to Linda Fruhvirtova in Birmingham (5-7, 7-6(5), 1-6), and another opening-round defeat to Emiliana Arango in her grand slam main draw debut at Roland Garros.
She has since slipped four spots in the latest WTA rankings from No. 73 to No. 77.
Meanwhile, Cabrera reached the round of 32 in Birmingham before losing to Zeynep Sonmez (3-6, 5-7). She failed to advance past the first round of the French Open qualifiers.
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