Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
By Joel Reyes
Alex Eala will face a familiar opponent in the second round of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open. The Filipina tennis star will lock horns with Dayana Yastremska in the round of 64 after the latter recorded a 6-3, 6-2 victory over China’s Shuai Zhang on Thursday.
Their last meeting came in the 2025 Eastbourne Open, with Eala crushing Yastremska 6-1, 6-2 in the quarterfinals. The Quezon City native went on to reach the finals of that WTA 500 event, where she lost to Australian Maya Joint in three sets.
Eala received a first-round bye at Indian Wells after she was seeded 31st in the BNP Paribas Open. This will be her maiden appearance in the prestigious tournament.