Can Eala get even with Valentova?

It’s going to be payback time for Alex Eala as the Filipino sensation takes on Tereza Valentova in the Round of 64 of the Qatar Open starting Monday at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.

Last time they met, Eala suffered a 61-61, defeat to Valentova in the Round of 32 of the Japan Women’s Open in Osaka.

Now the 20-year-old Eala has a golden opportunity to get even with the world No. 44 Czech.

Expect another jam-packed venue as world No. 45 Eala feeds on the energy of the Filipino crowd who will cheer her on as the time for her match has yet to be unveiled at press time.

The Rafael Nadal Academy alumna will be entering the matchup full of confidence as she is set to reach a new career-best rank of No. 40 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).

Eala is coming off a quarterfinal exit in the Abu Dhabi Open last week where she lost to world No. 11 Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia, 3-6, 3-6.

Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Valentova will be carrying the momentum she had after making it through two qualifying rounds.

Valetova first defeated Arina Rodionova of Australia, 6-2. 2-6, 7-6 before taking down Ella Seidel of Germany, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, to enter the main draw of this prestigious WTA 1000 event that features world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland, and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.

The road towards the Qatar Open only gets harder for Eala should she beat Valetova.

Awaiting Eala in the Round of 32 would be the winner between No. 35 Jaqueline Cristian of Romania or No. 19 and 2023 French Open finalist  Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic.

Eala is already assured to pocket $18,300 or roughly P1 million just by making it to the main draw of the Qatar Open.

A whopping $26,000 or around P1.5 million awaits Eala in the Last 32 if she prevails over Valetova.

Stars like defending champion Amanda Anisimova of the United States, Swiatek, and Rybakina await Eala should she go deeper in her Qatar Open run.