Eala, Mboko take on Leyla, Russian pal

MANILA, Philippines — Birthday girl Alex Eala will have another shot at Filipina-Canadian ace Leylah Fernadez, locking horns once more in the doubles tournament of the 2026 French Open kicking off today in Paris.

Eala, who celebrated her 21st birthday on Saturday with tennis friends including her upcoming singles opponent Iva Jovic of the United States, drew Fernandez and Diana Shnaider of Russia in the official draw yesterday.

The Filipina tennis pride, world No. 38 in singles, has WTA No. 9 Victoria Mboko of Canada as her teammate for the first time. They try make a mark in the doubles of the Roland Garros, the season’s second Grand Slam, on top of their respective singles campaigns.

Eala, No. 115 in the doubles, and Mboko, No. 132, fare lower compared to the grizzled doubles specialist Shnaider, who is at world No. 18, alongside Fernandez at No. 81.