EALA SET FOR REMATCH VERSUS VEKIC IN MELBOURNE

FILIPINO tennis hotshot Alexandra 'Alex' Eala is set for a rematch against Croatian Donna Vekic at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne on Wednesday evening.

Toppling Vekic in the opening round of the ASB Classic, world No. 49 Eala faces the No. 70 player in an exhibition, though.

The Kooyong Classic features invited ATP and WTA players in an exhibition format right before the Australian Open main draw on January 18.

The women's division also features former world no. 5 and 7-time champ Daniela Hantuchova as well as world no. 121 Priscilla Hon.

Eala is using the tournament as her final buildup for her main draw debut at the first Grand Slam of the year.

Vekic has already played on Monday, defeating Hon, 6(4)-7, 6-4, 10-4.

Eala takes on Vekic evening in Manila as their battle succeeds the clash between Denis Shapovalov and Jordan Thompson, which takes place after the first game of the day between Learner Tien and Marin Cilic set at 3:30 p.m. in Manila.

The final offering in the second day of the 3-day tournament features the battle between Elizabeth Mandik and Katie Boulter.

Games for the final day on Jan. 15 were not announced yet as of writing.

Eala is looking to build on her semifinal finish at the ASB Classic that catapulted her to a new career-best 49th at the WTA rankings.

The 20-year-old last saw action on January 10 when she fell to Chinese Wang Xinyu in the semis, 7-5, 5-7, 4-6.

Eala pocketed $12,331 or more than P731K for her semifinal run.

2026-01-13T17:29:42Z