Eala top seed in Portuguese netfest
‘I know that I will be in the main draw. So I’m very excited about that. My first time to be in the main draw. So it’s a new experience and everything to gain.’
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Daily Tribune‘I know that I will be in the main draw. So I’m very excited about that. My first time to be in the main draw. So it’s a new experience and everything to gain.’
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Alex Eala enters the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal as the No. 1 seed.
AL BELLO/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Alex Eala returns to action for the first time since her phenomenal run in the Miami Open when she tries her luck in the 5th Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal from 14 to 20.
Owing to her world 73rd rating, Eala is the tournament’s top seed.
Making up the seven other seeds are Katie Volynets of the United States (world No. 80), Elisabeth Cocciaretto of Italy (No. 89), Anna Bondar of Hungary (No. 91), Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland (No. 93), Yuen Yue of China (No. 101), Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain (No. 111) and Sorana Cirstea of Romania (No. 117).
Eala is using this tournament as a buildup for next month’s French Open where she has qualified following her semifinal finish in the Miami Open.
In Miami, Eala, 19, beat former Grand Slam champions and world No. 5 Madison Keys of the US and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland before running into current world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, also from the US.
After her Portuguese stint, Eala will head to Spain to compete in the Mutua Madrid Open, a WTA 1000 tournament, from 22 April to 4 May.
“Of course, I’m excited for the Grand Slams ahead, Roland Garros,” said Eala, a product of Rafael Nadal’s tennis academy in Mallorca.
“I know that I will be in the main draw. So I’m very excited about that. My first time to be in the main draw. So it’s a new experience and everything to gain,” she added.
