Alex Eala expects ‘tough’ test vs Leylah Fernandez at DC Open

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines looks on during a women’s singles match against Qinwen Zheng of China on day two of the Mubadala Citi DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on July 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP 

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala eyes a different result when she faces defending champion Leylah Fernandez in the Mubadala DC Open round of 16 late Wednesday (Manila time).

The last time she faced the Filipino-Canadian player, Eala fell in straight sets at the WTA 500 Stuttgart Open, a warm-up tournament for the French Open last April.

In their second meeting, they will square off on the hard courts of Washington, D.C., with Eala expecting another tough battle against Fernandez, a fellow left-hander whose game closely resembles her own.

“I think it’s going to be a very tough match for me. Leylah’s such an amazing player and an amazing person as well,” Eala said.

Coming off a grueling three-set victory over Zheng Qinwen that lasted two hours and 26 minutes, Eala knows recovery will be key ahead of her second-round match, scheduled not earlier than 11 p.m.

“I think right now, my first priority is to recover, take care of my body so that I can arrive in the best shape possible to compete,” Eala said.

Eala battled back from a first-set loss to oust former world No. 4 Zheng of China, while Fernandez cruised past Magda Linette, 6-1, 6-4, in her opening match.

The Filipino tennis star is playing her first tournament in North America as part of her buildup to the US Open in August.