MIAMI, Florida — Returning to the Miami Open where she first earned notice worldwide with upsets of three top world players, Filipina rising star Alexandra 'Alex' Eala will try for a repeat of her previous year's stunning run to face German Laura Siegemund in the round of 64.

After sliding to 49, Eala will have her hands full against Siegemund, currently No. 53 in the world rankings of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), when they bzttle the singles division for the first time in the WTA 1000-level tournament.

Eala's opponent took down Petra Marcinko of Croatia, 6-4, 6-4, in the first round to advance against the country's pride. The German veteran, who has a career-high world ranking of 27 with two singles titles, reached the quarterfinal of Wimbledon last year, falling to World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.

If Eala advances against the seasoned Siegemund, she could be on a collision course against Iga Swiatek of Poland, who is seeded as No.2 in the tournament and scheduled to face fellow Polish Magda Linette, who took down Varvara Gracheva, 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, to open her campaign.

In the Miami Open last year, Eala–then a qualifier and ranked no. 140–upset Swiatek in the quarterfinals to become the first wildcard in the WTA to upset three Grand Slam champions. But the Rafa Nadal Academy graduate ended her dream run in the Miami Open with a semifinal loss to Jessica Pegula.
In round 64 of last year's Madrid Open, Swiatek defeated Eala in three sets, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.