ROME, Italy — Filipina tennis star Alexandra ‘Alex’ Eala and her American partner Hailey Baptiste were previously announced as the number one alternates in Rome but they have now found their way into the draw in doubles competitions in the ongoing Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 Italian Open in the Italian capital of Rome.
However, in their opening match, the duo have been handed the daunting task of competing against second seeds Kateřina Siniaková of Czechia and Taylor Townsend of the United States, who have already gone down as one of the greatest pairings ever.
Both multiple Grand Slam champions in the format, Siniaková is the current WTA doubles number one and boasts 36 career titles, including four this season. On the other hand, Townsend boasts 15 career titles and is currently world number two, having also climbed to the summit once upon a time.
Just recently, the Czech-American tandem lifted the doubles trophy in Madrid, where they defeated Eala and Turkish ace Zeynep Sonmez en route to the title.
If by chance, though, that our country’s pride make it through with Baptiste, their tandem will face yet another grueling test against the Romanian duo of Jaqueline Cristian and Sorana Cirstea.
Eala and Baptiste are promoting the formation of a star-studded doubles tournament at the Italian Open, alongside Townsend and Siniakova. Also playing a key role is WTA number five and American standout Jessica Pegula, who is linking up with Australia’s Storm Hunter to take on Erin Routliffe of New Zealand and Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in their opener.
Pegula’s fellow American Coco Gauff is another singles star playing doubles in Rome, having already won her first match with compatriot Caty McNally against the pair of Indonesia’s Aldila Sutjiadi and China’s Janice Tjen.
Still, in spite the expected exciting doubles matches, all eyes will undoubtedly be on home favorites Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani, who are chasing a third successive title. They are the top seeds and will start out against compatriots Vittoria Paganetti and Gaia Maduzzi.