Alex Eala vs. Jelena Ostapenko 2026 Linz Open Round of 16 Preview

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Alex Eala vs. Jelena Ostapenko 2026 Linz Open Round of 16 Preview image

By Joel Reyes

Alex Eala will resume her campaign at the 2026 Linz Open on Wednesday evening (PH time), with the Filipina tennis star set to face fourth seed Jelena Ostapenko in the second round on Center Court.

This will be the third meeting between Eala and Ostapenko on the WTA Tour, with the Quezon City native holding a 2-0 advantage in their previous head-to-head matchups. This will be the pair’s first matchup on clay, though, with their past meetings happening on the hard and grass courts.

Photo by BARBARA GINDL / APA / AFP via Getty Images) / Austria OUT

Eala recorded one of the biggest wins of her career against Ostapenko in last year’s Miami Open, securing a 7-6 (2), 7-5 victory in the Round of 64. That kickstarted her Cinderella run in that tournament, with Eala also beating Grand Slam champions Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek on her way to the semis.

Eala and Ostapenko faced each other for the second time at the Eastbourne Open, with the Filipina securing a victory via walkover in the grass court event. Ostapenko looked to be on her way to an easy win after recording a bagel in the first set, but Eala bounced back with a 6-2 win in the second set.

Eala led 3-2 in the third set, when Ostapenko decided to retire due to a left ankle injury. Eala went on to reach the final of that tournament, where she lost in heartbreaking fashion to Maya Joint.

Eala booked her place in the round of 16 of the Linz Open after defeating hometown bet Julia Grabher 6-4, 6-3 in their first-round clash early Wednesday morning.

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Ostapenko received a bye in the first round as the No. 4 seed in this WTA 500 event. She has a 12-4 record this year, with her best finish coming at the Qatar Open last February when she reached the semifinals.

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