Alex Eala needs ton of patience in Italian Open battle vs Ukraine’s No. 2
Bearing the familiar underdog tag, Alex Eala kicks off her Italian Open campaign versus world No. 27 Marta Kostyuk
MANILA, Philippines – There are no easy draws when one plays at this high level in the pro circuit. This Alex Eala has probably realized by now.
The Filipina teen opens her campaign in the WTA 1000 Internazionali BNL d’Italia, or more popularly known as the Italian Open, on Wednesday, May 7, at 4 pm, Philippine time, when she goes up against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the first round of competitions.
Now ranked a career-high No. 70, Eala will bear the familiar underdog billing against Kostyuk, who is 27th in the world.
Both Eala and Kostyuk last saw action in the WTA 1000 Madrid Open. After an impressive straight-set triumph in the opening round over Viktoria Tomova of Bulgaria, the 19-year-old Eala was shown the exit by world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the second round.
The 22-year-old Kostyuk, on the other hand, reached the quarterfinals. After earning a bye in the opening round, she downed 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu of Great Britain in the second round; former world No. 9 Veronika Kudermetova in the round of 32; and former world junior No. 1 and current No. 34 Anastasia Potapova of Russia in the last 16.
It took world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka to end Kostyuk’s run in the quarterfinals, but not without a stiff challenge from the Ukrainian who went down fighting in two close sets, 7-6(4), 7-6(9).
Kostyuk has not been an easy opponent to face in the opening round of tournaments in 2025. She has advanced past the first round in six of the nine events she has played in this season.
