Alex Eala and Linda Noskova rekindle childhood rivalry at Indian Wells

Alta Sports3 months ago · 731 views

Alex Eala and Linda Noskova rekindle childhood rivalry at Indian Wells image

By Joel Reyes

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala and Linda Noskova will face each other on the WTA Tour for the first time on Wednesday (PH time), when they lock horns in the fourth round of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open on Stadium 1 at Indian Wells.

Eala booked her place in the last 16 after beating Coco Gauff, who retired injured during the second set of their showdown. Noskova, on the other hand, advanced to the Round of 16 after ousting Sorana Cirstea 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4.

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

Eala and Noskova know each other well as they have squared off on a tennis court before on the junior level. Their first-ever meeting took place in the finals of the prestigious Les Petit As U-14 tournament, with the 12-year-old Eala pulling off a come-from-behind 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (5) victory in 2018.

It was a stunning victory for Eala, who exceeded expectations in the tournament as an unseeded player. She took full advantage of her wildcard slot, reeling off six consecutive victories, including her upset win against the No. 7 seed Noskova.

Noskova looked to be on her way to the championship after taking a 5-3 lead in the third set. Eala came storming back, though, winning three straight games to take a 6-5 advantage in the decider. The match eventually went into a tiebreaker, which Eala won 7-5.

Eala and Noskova crossed paths again two years later when they squared off in the quarterfinals of the 2020 Roland Garros Girls Juniors' Singles competition. It was Eala, who emerged victorious again, pulling off a tough 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over her Czech foe.

Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Eala made history with that triumph, becoming the first-ever juniors' tennis player from the Philippines to advance to the semifinals of a juniors' singles competition at a Grand Slam since Felix Barrientos reached the final four of the 1985 Wimbledon.

A lot has changed since their juniors clash in the French Open, with both players now established stars on the WTA Tour. It will be fascinating to see who will prevail this time around in their much-anticipated showdown at Indian Wells.

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