Filipina tennister Alex Eala hopes for a deep run in the Italian Open doubles tournament with star partner Coco Gauff.
After an early exit in singles, Alex Eala looks to turn her fortunes around at the Italian Open as she forms a blockbuster doubles partnership with Coco Gauff, one of the brightest stars in women’s tennis.
The Filipino teen joins forces with the 2023 US Open singles champion and Roland Garros doubles titleholder for the first time, with their opening match scheduled for Saturday evening, Manila time, at the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome.
It’s a massive opportunity for Eala, who will now share the court with the World No. 3 in singles and World No. 22 in doubles.
Gauff, 21, has a rich doubles pedigree, having reached three Grand Slam finals and capturing the French Open women’s doubles crown in 2024.
Her athleticism and baseline command complement Eala’s left-handed touch and court sense—creating a pairing full of potential despite being untested.
Standing in their way are seasoned doubles players Alexandra Panova of Russia and Fanny Stollar of Hungary.
The Panova-Stollar tandem brings experience and chemistry, having competed extensively on the doubles circuit, making them a dangerous matchup for the newly formed Eala-Gauff duo.
Still, the spotlight is on Eala and Gauff, whose pairing could electrify the Rome crowd and signal the start of a promising collaboration.
For Eala, it’s not just a chance to bounce back from singles defeat, but a rare moment to learn and thrive alongside one of the best in the game.
(With reports from Luisa Morales)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]