Alex, Leylah in exciting duel

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine tennis will be in full display as homegrown ace Alex Eala and Filipina-Canadian stalwart Leylah Fernandez collide in an intriguing duel to start the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix today in Stuttgart, Germany.

The match is set at late afternoon at the posh Porsche Arena, promising an explosive duel for the first time between two of the world’s fast-rising stars today.

Eala, 20, has become one of the international crowd darlings after a magnificent run that pushed her to a career-best WTA ranking of No. 29. She has slipped, though, to No. 46 after falling short from replicating a Final Four finish in the Miami Open.