Alex Eala rises to No. 3 seed in Singapore Open after Pegula pulls out

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino ace Alex Eala moved up to the No. 3 seed at WTA 500 Singapore Tennis Open after supposed top seed and world No. 3 Jessica Pegula withdrew.

In an Instagram story Wednesday, Pegula said she’s not physically ready to take the court anew after a grueling campaign in the US Open where she reached the semifinals.

Pegula followed the withdrawals of world No. 13 Diana Shnaider and No. 15 Sorana Cirstea who were supposed to claim the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds respectively.

Initially seeded No. 6, Eala thus moved three places up after the said player pulled out.

As a top four player in a 28-player field of a 500 tournament, Eala will get a first-round bye and start her campaign in the second round.

The Singapore Open will run from September 21 to 27 at the OCBC Arena, The Kallang.

Click here to read article