Valentova defeats Eala again in Doha opener

Tereza Valentova defeated Alexandra Eala in the opening round at Doha, recording her second victory against the Filipino in six months. The eighteen-year-old qualifier advanced to face fellow Czech Karolina Muchova while competing in only the eighth tour main draw of her career.

The first set swung repeatedly before reaching a tiebreak. Eala saved three consecutive set points to level at 6–6, but Valentova responded with a return winner and converted her fourth opportunity to take the opener.

Valentova then reduced her errors and played with greater variety in the second set, finishing with twenty-two winners against Eala’s twelve. She had entered the top fifty after reaching the Australian Open third round earlier that season.