For Alex Eala, the Guadalajara Open final is more than just another shot at her maiden WTA title—it’s also a chance to settle the score with Hungary’s Panna Udvardy.
Alex Eala earned another shot at a first WTA title — and her road leads straight into a familiar opponent who already has her number.
Panna Udvardy has become the final roadblock in Eala’s chase for glory as the two are set for a high-stakes collision at the Guadalajara 125 Open, early Sunday morning, September 7 (PH time).
First serve is scheduled at 2:00 a.m.
The Filipina reached her second final of the year—and first since the Eastbourne Open—after commanding a 6-2, 6-3 win over Kayla Day of the United States in the semifinals.
[ALSO READ: Alex Eala stops Kayla Day to make Guadalajara 125 Open Finals]
Meanwhile, Udvardy ousted Maria Kozyreva of Russia, 6-3, 6-4, in her own semifinal match.
So far, the Hungarian has dropped only one set—against fourth seed Francesca Jones in their quarterfinal showdown—en route to the final.
Udvardy looks to build off her earlier win over Eala in the Oeiras Open Round of 16 in Portugal last April.
[ALSO READ: Alex Eala ends Oeiras Ladies Open run after Round of 16 defeat to Hungary’s Panna Udvardy]
Furthermore, Udvardy also owns one WTA 125 title: the Argentine Open in 2022, the same year she reached a career-high ranking of No. 76.
She also recorded her first career Grand Slam win three years ago at the Wimbledon Open, beating Slovenian challenger Tamara Zidanšek.
Udvardy, who made her pro debut in 2017, holds a 30-20 win-loss record this year and 307-221 overall in her career.