ALEX Eala braces for a fresh test at the Mutua Madrid Open, drawing Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the Round of 128 at the Caja Magica in Spain.
The matchup marks the first career meeting between the 19-year-old Filipina and the 34-year-old former world No. 11, who owns 12 WTA singles titles and an Olympic gold medal in mixed doubles.
Pavlyuchenkova enters now ranked 116th, but carries momentum after battling through two qualifying rounds to reach the main draw.
Eala, currently No. 44, looks to reset after her recent loss to Leylah Fernandez at the Stuttgart Open, aiming to regain rhythm on clay.
Madrid Open is her third clay tournament after early exits in Linz and Stuttgart.
Their clash is scheduled not before 7:00 PM, Manila time, on Wednesday.
Double effort for Eala
Beyond singles, Eala will also compete in doubles, teaming up with close friend Zeynep Sonmez.
The pair is set to face Chan Hao-ching and Fanny Stollár in the Round of 32, with match details still to be announced.
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