Alexandra “Alex” Eala is set to enter the Singapore Tennis Open with an upgraded seeding position and a valuable early-round advantage as she continues her rise on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour.
The Filipino star is poised to take the No. 3 seed at the WTA 500 tournament, scheduled for September 21 to 27 at the OCBC Arena at The Kallang in Singapore. The top four seeds in the 28-player singles draw receive a first-round bye, meaning Eala would begin her campaign in the second round.
Eala was initially listed as the No. 6 seed, but withdrawals by Jessica Pegula, Diana Shnaider and Sorana Cirstea reshaped the top of the field. Eala, currently ranked No. 18 in the world, subsequently moved into the tournament’s top three seeds.
The development adds another notable chapter to Eala’s breakthrough 2026 season. She captured the Mubadala Open in Washington last August, defeating Pegula in the final, and also made deep runs at several major events along the way, including the recently concluded US Open where she reached that third round.
The Singapore tournament will be a significant test as the WTA Tour begins its Asian swing. The event was elevated from WTA 250 status to WTA 500 this year, making it the only WTA 500 tennis tournament in Southeast Asia, and thus bringing a stronger field and increased ranking points.
Eala will share the spotlight with several prominent names, including French Open champion Mirra Andreeva and Amanda Anisimova. The tournament’s player field remains subject to change before the official draw is finalized.
For Eala, the first-round bye provides an opportunity to conserve energy before entering the competition, while the higher seeding places her among the leading players in a tournament featuring some of the world’s top-ranked women.
Main-draw action begins September 21, with qualifying scheduled for September 19 and 20.