Alex Eala faces a younger Tereza Valentova in the round of 16 of 2026 Hong Kong Tennis Open on Thursday at the Victoria Park Centre Court in Causeway Bay Hong Kong.
It is a challenging match for the 21-year-old 2025 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist as she lost twice to the 19-year-old Czech player at Doha Open last February and Japan Open in October 2025, both in straight sets.
‘I have had very tough matches against her in the past. I think she has proven to be a really talented player not just against me, but you know she is a talented player. So, it will be a challenge for me like every match,’ Eala said.
After a 6-2, 6-7, 4-6 defeat to Russian Diana Shnaider, Eala came back strong in Hong Kong, beating Aussie Emerson Jones, 6-4, 6-3, in the Round of 32 last Tuesday.
Valentova beat Japanese Himeno Sakatsume, 6-3, 7-5.
If she reaches the quarterfinals, Eala could face WTA No. 38 Xinyu Wang of China or No. 81 Antonia Ruzic of Croatia.