MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tennis ace Alexandra ‘Alex’ Eala faces Tereza Valentova of Czechia to begin her Japan Open campaign in Osaka on Tuesday afternoon.

Barring any delay, world no. 54 Eala battles no. 78 Valentova at 2:40 p.m.

Eala, 20, last saw action at the Wuhan Open where she fell to Japanese Moyuka Uchijima in the first qualifying round, 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, on October 4.

On the other hand, Valentova, 18, entered the main draw of this Japan Open after going through the qualifiers.

Valentova defeated Alina Charaeva, 6-1, 6-2, in the first round and Greet Minnen, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the second.

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If Eala gets past Valentova, she will face either Cristina Bucsa of Spain or Elise Mertens of Belgium in the second round of the main draw.