UMVA has learned that Alexandra "Alex" Eala is set to face off against Leylah Fernandez once again, this time in the doubles tournament of the 2026 French Open, which kicks off on Monday in Paris.
Ms. Eala, who celebrated her 21st birthday on Saturday, has been drawn against Ms. Fernandez and Diana Shnaider of Russia, making for a thrilling matchup. The Filipina tennis star will be teaming up with WTA No. 9 Victoria Mboko of Canada for the first time, as they aim to make their mark in the doubles competition.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Ms. Eala and Ms. Mboko will be facing a tough challenge, as they are ranked lower than their opponents in doubles. Ms. Shnaider, a seasoned doubles specialist, is ranked No. 18, while Ms. Fernandez is ranked No. 81. This will be a true test of skill and strategy for the Filipina-Canadian tandem.
Ms. Eala has a history with Ms. Fernandez, having lost to her in the first round of the WTA 500 Porsche Grand Prix singles in Stuttgart, Germany. However, she also scored a win against Ms. Fernandez in the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open Round of 16, partnering with Janice Tjen. This complex rivalry is sure to add an extra layer of excitement to their upcoming match.
Before diving into the doubles tournament, Ms. Eala will first face off against one of her closest friends, Iva Jovic, in the singles play on Monday. Despite their impending match, the two friends have remained close, with Ms. Jovic even joining Ms. Eala for a birthday celebration with other tennis friends. The personal connection between the two players will undoubtedly make their match all the more compelling.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Ms. Eala's birthday celebration was a heartwarming affair, with her friends gifting her a cake on the training court at Roland Garros. The group, which included Eva Lys, Zeynep Sonmez, and Marta Kostyuk, also spent a lovely evening together, enjoying each other's company in the City of Love. This touching display of friendship and camaraderie is a testament to the strong bonds that exist between these talented tennis players.
