WHAT could have been a showdown with the sport’s royalty has turned into a plot of vengeance against a familiar tormentor for the Filipina juggernaut Alexandra “Alex” Eala.
And count on the 21-year-old rising star, with a legion of fans behind her like she had in the opener, to still come in with the same — if not hotter — fire to settle an unfinished business and barge into the third round of a Grand Slam main draw for the first time ever.
“I had a really great match with Maya (Joint) last year so I’d love to have the chance to improve on some things that I could have improved from that match,” said Ms. Eala after arranging a rematch with the Australian star in Round 2 of the Wimbledon at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London.
Ms. Eala and the 20-year-old Ms. Joint came from contrasting paths to go at it once again in the same country, a year after an epic finale battle in the 2025 Eastbourne Open, a pre-tournament for the queen of grass tournaments.
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