By el Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — Alexandra Eala’s decision to skip the China Open has cost her valuable ground in the race for the WTA Finals—but the Filipina star is not done yet.
Eala remains entered in the Wuhan Open, giving her another opportunity to collect points in China and strengthen her position in the season-long PIF WTA Race to the Finals.
The WTA’s official player list includes Eala in the Wuhan field for the WTA 1000 event, which will be played Oct. 12 to 18. The list, however, is subject to change before the tournament draw.
Eala bypassed the China Open to represent the Philippines at the Asian Games in Japan. She made the singles semifinals and came away with a bronze medal after losing to China’s Wang Xiyu, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The WTA Finals Race is different from the regular world rankings. While Eala is currently No. 18 in the WTA singles rankings, the Finals Race measures points earned during the season to determine the eight players who qualify for the year-end championship.
Thus, her China Open absence did not end her season or prevent her from playing another WTA 1000 event.
Eala will now turn her attention to Wuhan, where another deep run could add valuable points to her season tally.
The 21-year-old has already made history this year by winning her first WTA singles title in Washington, beating American Jessica Pegula, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.
ia/xf
