ALEX Eala makes a quick turnaround at the WTA 500 Upper Austria Ladies Linz as she takes on Jelena Ostapenko in the second round on Wednesday.
The world No. 46 faces off with the Latvian for the third time in their pro careers, just hours after dispatching Austria’s Julia Grabher, 6-4, 6-3, to begin her clay campaign in fine style.
READ Alex Eala hurdles home bet Julia Grabher in Linz debut
Fortunately for Eala, she goes to the round-of-16 match - set to start not before 7:10 p.m. on Wednesday - oozing with confidence after beating the world No. 23 in their two previous meetings.
The Filipina claimed a 7-6, 7-5 win at the 2025 Miami Open and followed it up with a 0-6, 6-2, 3-2 result at the Lexus Eastbourne Open where Eala got as far as the finals.
However, the 28-year old Ostapenko should be tough to beat in her favorite surface this time, having won her first and only grand slam title at the 2017 French Open.
Ostapenko also has a 66-percent winning percentage on clay with her 118-59 record.
On the other hand, Eala is in fine form entering the clay season after a busy start to the year that was capped by a fourth-round exit at the Miami Open.
Fatigue, however, should be a factor after needing one hour and 42 minutes to put away home bet Grabher in her opening match.
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