Alex Eala advanced to the round of 64 of the 2026 WTA Madrid Open after a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the Round of 128 on Wednesday night (Manila time).

The 20-year-old Filipina, ranked World No. 44, completed the opening-round win in one hour and 31 minutes against the 34-year-old Pavlyuchenkova, a former Grand Slam finalist and Olympic mixed doubles gold medalist.

Eala dictated the pace early and maintained control throughout the match, securing a straight-sets triumph to book her place in the next round.

“Like I said, I think at this level, every match is a battle… All of us players, we fight until the end,” Eala said during the post match interview.

“She has been on tour for many years. So I’m really happy with this win. She’s a great player, and I’m really happy to be in the next round,” she added.

With the victory in the Round of 128, Eala moves on to the Round of 64, where she will face 19th seed Elise Mertens, who received a bye into the second round.