ALEX Eala's North American hard court swing continues with a second round showdown against former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in the Mubadala Citi DC Open.
Eala, currently No. 28 in the world, advanced after rallying past Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, while 34th-ranked Fernandez dispatched Magda Linette, 6-1, 6-4, to set up their second career meeting.
READ: Eala completes comeback over Zheng to jumpstart DC Open Campaign
Fernandez got the better of Eala in their lone singles encounter, winning 6-1, 6-4 on the indoor clay courts of the Stuttgart Open in April.
The 21-year-old Filipina, however, will look to even the record on hard court, as she continues her Washington campaign.
Both players are also using the WTA 500 event to kick off their North American swing after Wimbledon.
Eala does own a win over Fernandez this season, although it came in doubles. Teaming up with Indonesia's Janice Tjen at the Abu Dhabi Open in February, Eala beat Fernandez and Kristina Mladenovic, 7-5, 3-6, 10-6, in the Round of 16.
Eala and Fernandez are scheduled to play not before 11 p.m., Manila time, on Wednesday.
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