Alex Eala starts the WTA 1000 Qatar Open with a tough matchup, drawing former nemesis Tereza Valentova in the first round.
Alex Eala is set for a tough path in the Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2026.
The Filipina ace is in the main draw of the Qatar Open, the first WTA 1000 of the year, and will start things off with former nemesis Tereza Valentova.
Through the Feb. 2 WTA rankings, Valentova is no. 44 just ahead of Eala who is currently enjoying her career-high ranking of world no. 45.
The two youngsters also have recent history, with the 18-year-old Valentova beating Eala in the first round of the Japan Women’s Open last October, 6-1, 6-2.
Valentova is showing fine form to start the 2026 season, making it to the Round of 16 of the Adelaide International as a qualifier, and the Round of 32 in the Australian Open before losing to eventual champion Elena Rybakina.
For the Qatar Open, Valentova is the top-ranked qualifier and won two matches to proceed to the main draw.
Meanwhile, Eala is likewise enjoying a relatively solid start to the season, with her most recent result being a quarterfinals run in the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open.
The Qatar Open main draw is already underway on Sunday, with the Eala-Valentova scheduled for Monday.