will face a familiar opponent when she battles for the WTA 125 Birmingham Open title on Sunday.

Eala is set to take on Czech player Nikola Bartunkova, who was also her doubles partner in the same tournament. However, .

The 20-year-old Bartunkova is currently ranked No. 69 in the WTA rankings.

Bartunkova has enjoyed a breakthrough season, highlighted by a run to the Round of 32 at the Australian Open as a qualifier. She also reached the quarterfinals of the Ostrava Open and the Round of 16 of the ATX Open in the weeks that followed.

In Rome, Bartunkova continued her impressive run, advancing to the Round of 16 of the Italian Open as a qualifier. The strong showing helped her reach a career-high ranking of No. 65 on May 18.

At the WTA 125 Birmingham Open, Bartunkova entered the tournament as the fifth seed. She defeated Harriet Dart, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5; Gabriela Knutson, 6-4, 7-6(4); Mika Stojsavljevic, 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(4); and Ashlyn Krueger, 6-4, 7-6(7), to book her place in the final.

Eala, meanwhile, comes into the championship match ranked No. 37 in the world. The 21-year-old Filipina defeated ; ; ; and , to advance to the final.

This will be Eala’s second WTA 125 final after capturing the , and her third WTA Tour final after reaching the .

Here is Eala’s season recap:

Season recap

Clay-court swing

  • French Open (Grand Slam) —
  • Italian Open (WTA 1000) —
  • Madrid Open (WTA 1000) —
  • Stuttgart Open (WTA 500) —
  • Linz Open (WTA 500) —

Sunshine Swing

  • Miami Open (WTA 1000) —
  • Indian Wells Open (WTA 1000) —

Middle East Swing

  • Dubai Tennis Championships (WTA 1000) —
  • Qatar Open (WTA 1000) —
  • Abu Dhabi Open (WTA 500) —

Philippine Women’s Open (WTA 125) —

Australian Swing

  • Australian Open (Grand Slam) —
  • ASB Classic (WTA 250) —

Madrid Open

The Madrid Open is a professional tennis tournament held annually in Madrid, Spain, as part of the ATP Tour and WTA Tour. First established in 2002, it quickly became a key clay-court event, serving as a major warm-up for the French Open. The tournament is known for its high-altitude blue clay courts, which were used from 2012 to 2014 before returning to traditional red clay.

Park Manzanares

Park Manzanares is a historic public park located in the city of Albacete, Spain, originally developed in the mid-19th century as part of the city’s urban expansion. Named after the nearby Manzanares River, the park features lush gardens, walking paths, and a central pond, serving as a popular recreational space for locals. Over the years, it has undergone several renovations to preserve its cultural and natural heritage while adapting to modern needs.

Australian Open

The Australian Open is a major tennis tournament held annually in Melbourne, Australia, and is the first of the four Grand Slam events each year. First played in 1905 on grass courts, it moved to its current hardcourt surface at Melbourne Park in 1988. Today, it is known for its intense summer heat, vibrant atmosphere, and iconic blue courts.

Ostrava Open

The Ostrava Open is a professional tennis tournament held in Ostrava, Czech Republic, typically featuring top-ranked players on the WTA Tour. First established in 2020 as a replacement for the canceled Zhengzhou Open, the event quickly gained prominence for its high-level competition and modern indoor hard courts. The tournament has since become a key stop on the women’s tennis calendar, showcasing both established stars and rising talents.

ATX Open

The ATX Open is a professional women’s tennis tournament held in Austin, Texas, first established in 2023 as part of the WTA Tour. It takes place at the Westwood Country Club and serves as a key event during the early hard-court season, replacing the former tournament in Indian Wells. The event quickly became a notable addition to Austin’s sports calendar, showcasing top international players.

Italian Open

The Italian Open is a prestigious annual tennis tournament held in Rome, typically taking place on clay courts as a key warm-up event for the French Open. First established in 1930, it has a rich history of hosting legendary players and is part of the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 series. The event is renowned for its passionate crowds and iconic venue, the Foro Italico, which adds to its cultural significance in the world of tennis.

French Open

The French Open, also known as Roland-Garros, is a prestigious tennis tournament held annually in Paris, France. Established in 1891, it is the premier clay-court championship and one of the four Grand Slam events. Its iconic red clay surfaces and the historic Philippe-Chatrier Court have made it a defining venue for tennis legends like Rafael Nadal, who has won the title a record 14 times.

Indian Wells Open

The Indian Wells Open, officially known as the BNP Paribas Open, is a prestigious professional tennis tournament held annually in Indian Wells, California. Established in 1974, it has grown into one of the largest tennis events outside the Grand Slams, often called the “fifth major” due to its high-profile field and state-of-the-art facilities at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The tournament features both men’s and women’s singles and doubles draws, attracting top players from around the world.