Eala opens AO bid vs Croatian
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala has drawn a familiar foe in Jana Fett of Croatia for the opening round of the 2025 Australian Open qualifiers at the Melbourne Park.
The 19-year-old Filipina rising star will slug it out against the 28-year-old ace and No. 27 seed at 7 a.m. tomorrow (Manila time) to kick off an expected tough three-round qualifying phase featuring 128 players.
A win by Eala would send her to the next round against the winner between Slovakia’s Victoria Hrunkacova (WTA No. 168) and Austria’s Sinja Kraus (WTA No. 211).
Only 16 standouts from the 128-player field will advance to the main draw of the Australian major slated on Jan. 12 to 26 at the Rod Laver Arena.
Over in Auckland, New Zealand, Naomi Osaka retired from the final of the Auckland Classic with an abdominal injury Sunday, a blow to the Japanese star just a week before the start of the Australian Open.
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