Opening salvo: Eala faces world No. 100 in Aussie Open

Alex Eala is the heavy favorite against American Alycia Parks but it doesn’t mean it’s going to be a walk in the park for her in the first round of the Australian Open this Sunday.

Rated No. 49 in the world, Eala battles Park, ranked No. 100 when hostilities finally kick off at Melbourne Park.

The pairing was revealed Thursday alongside the full participation of stars such as Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, Iga Swiatek of Poland and Coco Gauff of the United States in the first Grand Slam of 2026.

Also joining the Australian Open are 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, world No. 8 Mirra Andreeva of Russia, defending champion and No. 9 Madison Keys as well as Eala’s doubles partner No. 35 Iva Jovic, also representing the US.

World No. 38 Tatjana Maria of Germany, No. 43 Wang Xinyu of China, No. 64 Solana Sierra of Argentina, No. 85 Lulu Sun of New Zealand and No. 87 Moyuka Uchijima of Japan are also on the prowl.

Should some of these netters exit early in the Australian Open, they will fly to Manila for the Philippine Women’s Open, which starts on 26 January at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

While Parks looks inferior based on the rankings, the 25-year-old Parks is a seasoned campaigner, having competed in all the Grand slam events since 2021.

Parks’ best run in any Grand Slam competition was at the Australian Open in 2024 where she made it as far as the Round of 32.

She first defeated Daria Snigur of Ukraine, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, in the Round of 128 before sweeping past Filipino-Canadian netter Leylah Fernandez, 7-5, 6-2, in the Last 64.

Parks eventually lost to Gauff, 0-6, 2-6, in the Round of 32.

One time in 2023, Parks, who lives in Florida, was rated No. 40 in the world.

She reached the second round of the French Open and Wimbledon and the first round of the US Open.

Meanwhile, Eala is coming off a stellar 2025 campaign where she made it to the semifinal of the Miami Open and joined the main draw of the Grand Slam three times.

Just recently, Eala got as far as the semifinal of the Auckland Open before suffering a 7-5, 5-7, 4-6 loss to Wang and won over former world No. 17 Donna Vekic of Croatia, 6-3, 6-4, in the Kooyong Classic to prepare for the Australian Open.

Eala, a product of the Rafael Nadal Academy, claims she is in great shape heading to Melbourne Park as she aims for another deep run.

“I want to say this is the best I’ve ever played. I think I’m in a good moment. So I really hope to keep the momentum going, keep working hard and hopefully things will align for me in the Australian Open,” Eala said.

“I’m looking for a second round. I think it’s step-by-step. I’ll welcome all the success that is written in my life.”

Eala, who won the 33rd Southeast Asian Games gold medal last December, said she continues polishing her game to make sure she will be armed to the teeth.

“I like to consider my service strength. It’s part of the mindset,” Eala said.

“I try to be tactical about it, and, you know, make up for certain weaknesses with other things. Yeah. And, well, being a lefty helps a little bit and a little bit of breeze. It helps you all sort of slide away a little bit.

Eala is already secured at least AUD 150,000 (P5.9 million) prize money in the first round alone in the Australian Open.

She could also compete as a wildcard at the Philippine Women’s Open if she gets eliminated before 23 January.