Eala faces old rival Vekic

Alex Eala (STAR / File)

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala goes for a breakthrough WTA 500 win on grass as she clashes with Croatian veteran Donna Vekic in the Round of 32 of the Berlin Open late today or early Wednesday.

The 21-year-old Filipina sensation, now at a career-high World No. 35 with 1,422 points, marches into the prestigious Rot-Weiss Tennis Club as a wildcard entry – and straight into a marquee matchup.

Eala owns a 2-0 head-to-head edge over Vekic, including a gritty 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory at the ASB Classic in Auckland last January and a 6-3, 6-4 romp in the Kooyong Classic exhibition. But those were on hard courts. This time, it’s on the slick lawns of Berlin, and Vekic holds the edge in experience.

Dubbed ‘Tita Donna’ by Filipino fans after her runner-up finish at the WTA 125 Philippine Open, the World No. 76 arrives in Berlin on a roll – fresh from a finals stint at the HSBC Championships in London and a semi-final run at Queen’s.