BOASTING a 9-2 record on grass heading into her second Wimbledon campaign, Alex Eala enters the year's third Grand Slam carrying the best momentum of her young career.
Across four tournaments, the World No. 30 captured the WTA 125 Birmingham title and reached her maiden WTA 500 semifinal in Berlin, where she stunned a trio of higher-ranked opponents in Top 10 stars No. 2 Elena Rybakina, and No. 8 Elina Svitolina, and Donna Vekic.
The Filipina also arrives at Wimbledon with another career first as a seeded player in a Grand Slam. Eala is the tournament's No. 29 seed after climbing to a career-high ranking.
Wimbledon marks her third major appearance of the season following campaigns at the Australian Open and the French Open.
When the Wimbledon draw was released Friday night, Eala was paired with Mexico's World No. 76 Renata Zarazua in the opening round.
READ: 29-seed Alex Eala draws Renata Zarazua to open Wimbledon campaign
A victory would send the 21-year-old beyond her first-round exit from last year and potentially set up a second-round clash with American legend and former World No. 1 Serena Williams, provided the seven-time Wimbledon champion gets past Maya Joint.
Should Eala overcome Williams, she could be headed for a third-round showdown with defending champion Iga Swiatek, a familiar opponent after their two meetings last year that won them apiece.
If she keeps the dream run alive, a place in the Round of 16 could take her test against Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini, Clara Tauson, or another contender from the section.
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