After her deep run in Eastbourne, Alex Eala is headed for a tough opponent in Wimbledon defending champion Barbora Krejciková.
There is much anticipation for Alex Eala’s impending debut at Wimbledon, where she she will face Czech player and Wimbledon defending champion Barbora Krejciková in the first round scheduled on Monday, June 30.
Eala will be competing in just her second grand slam main draw, as she squares off against the 29-year-old.
However, eyebrows are now raised at Krejciková’s health heading into Wimbledon as she pulled out in Eastbourne due to a thigh injury.
The Czech had fought through back-to-back three setters in her first two matches at the WTA 250 tournament before finally succumbing to injury ahead of her quarterfinal match against Varvara Gracheva, who was able to reach the semifinals via walkover.
Gracheva was Eala’s semifinal opponent whom she beat to reach the Eastbourne final slated on Saturday.
Krejciková was seeded second in the tournament.
As their matchup looms for Monday, questions are still looming on whether or not Krejciková will be in top form when she faces the younger Eala.
A two-time Grand Slam winner in singles, Krejciková shocked the tennis world when she won it all in Wimbledon last year, beating Jasmine Paolini in the final, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
In women’s doubles, she has seven grand slam titles across all four slams and three mixed double titles — all in the Australian Open.
Before facing Krejciková though, Eala plays in the final of the Eastbourne Open for the chance to win her first-ever WTA title, facing Maya Join for all the marbles on Saturday night, 8:30 pm, Manila time.