Alexandra “Alex” Eala is set for another stern challenge on the WTA Tour as the Filipina tennis ace takes on newly-crowned HSBC Championships winner Donna Vekic in the opening round of the Berlin Tennis Open in Germany.

Eala and Vekic will battle anew with both players coming off contrasting runs at the HSBC Championships last week.

The 21-year-old Eala absorbed a 6-2, 6-2 loss to Iva Jovic of the USA in the Round of 16, while the 29-year-old Vekic rode a wave of momentum all the way to the title.

The Croatian star, a qualifier in that tournament, scored back-to-back wins over home favorites Katie Boulter in the semifinals and Emma Raducanu in the finals to capture her first crown of the season and the fifth WTA singles title of her career.

Prior to the HSBC Championships, Eala ruled the WTA 125 Birmingham Open and will now look to rediscover her winning form as she battles Olympian veteran Vekic for the third time.

They previously met at the ASB Classic in New Zealand and at the Kooyong Classic exhibition in Melbourne, both of which saw the Philippine bet emerging victorious. (GMA News)