Brutal route: Alexandra Eala’s Stuttgart path may include Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina showdowns
· Yahoo Sports
Alexandra Eala entered the Women’s Stuttgart Open through the back door, but she may be second-guessing that choice.
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The tournament still has plenty of top names in the field, even after Aryna Sabalenka withdrew from the German tournament.
Eala is hoping to use this event to gain some rhythm on clay, especially with a packed stretch coming up that includes two Masters tournaments and Roland Garros.
The draw hasn’t been kind to her either. She faces a tough path ahead and will need to work hard to pick up a win or two.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty ImagesAlexandra Eala’s rough Stuttgart Open path
Eala faces a difficult opening round at the Stuttgart Open, with former Grand Slam finalist Leylah Fernandez standing in her way.
The 20-year-old finds herself in the same half of the draw as Jasmine Paolini, Iga Swiatek, and top seed Elena Rybakina.
To reach the semi-finals, Eala would likely have to get past Paolini, Rybakina, and Swiatek one after another—a stretch that wouldn’t look out of place late in a Grand Slam.
Fernandez is currently ranked 20 places above Eala, so this is far from an ideal start for the Filipina.
This will be Eala’s first appearance at the Stuttgart Open, and given her draw, an early exit wouldn’t come as a huge surprise.
Leylah Fernandez’s earlier comments on Alexandra Eala
Fernandez and Eala, both considered rising talents in women’s tennis, are set to draw a strong crowd when they meet for the first time in Stuttgart.
Speaking about Eala earlier this season, Fernandez praised the Filipino star: “Alex is an amazing player. Earlier this year, I didn’t get the chance to really talk to her, but we always cross paths. We always say hi.”
Their opening round match is scheduled for April 13th, though the official order of play has not yet been released.
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