Eala sets up Yastremska rematch in Indian Wells Masters opener

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Alex Eala will be kicking off her Indian Wells Masters campaign against a familiar foe, Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, in a highly anticipated rematch today at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California.

The 20-year-old Filipina tennis sensation first squared off against Yastremska during the 2025 Lexus Eastbourne Open, where she pummeled the Ukrainian in sweeping fashion, 6-1, 6-2, to advance to the tournament’s semifinal round.

Eala already has the blueprint to crack the Yastremska code, taking advantage of her inconsistent service game with efficient returns.

During the lopsided match in the United Kingdom, Eala was nothing short of spectacular, breaking Yastremska’s serve seven times while committing only 10 unforced errors.

Nine months since their first meeting, Eala will look to maintain momentum and replicate that stellar performance to begin her Indian Wells campaign on a high note.

Yastremska had to go through the tournament qualifiers and did well against Zhang Shuai, overpowering the Chinese aspirant with a 6-3, 6-2 win.

The 25-year-old netter is fresh off back-to-back disappointing finishes at the Merida Open and the Dubai Tennis Championships, where she lost both of her opening matches.

Meanwhile, Eala is looking to bounce back from a straight-sets loss to World No. 4 Coco Gauff in Dubai, 0-6, 2-6, during the quarterfinal stage.

It was as if Eala had run into an immovable wall. The rundown of the showdown was quite simple: Everything the Filipina threw, Gauff always had an answer.

Although Eala failed to march to the semifinals, she still had a convincing run in Dubai after skyrocketing to World No. 32 in the WTA rankings, a new career best.

All the best, Alex! Tuloy ang laban!