Alex Eala’s chances of winning the Singapore Open take a boost without her even playing a match

Alex Eala is back in action this week at the Singapore Open, her first tournament since playing at the US Open.

As ever, many eyes will be on the Filipina sensation, who has rapidly become one of the most popular players in world tennis. Eala now needs to block out the noise at the WTA 500 tournament, where many fans will be expecting her to enjoy a lengthy run.

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And fortunately for the many loyal followers of the world number 18, her chances of winning the Singapore Open have arguably taken a huge boost before she's even got underway following a high-profile withdrawal from the tournament.

Alex Eala receives Singapore Open boost with Amanda Anisimova withdrawal

Despite travelling to Singapore to play in the tournament, American superstar Amanda Anisimova has been forced out of the event. The world number 11 has withdrawn because of a left wrist injury, and has been replaced in the draw by lucky loser Viktoria Morvayova.

While it is very unfortunate news for Anisimova, it is a boost for Eala, who was projected to meet the four-time WTA champion in the Singapore semifinals. The talented American made it to two Grand Slam finals just last year, but lost to Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon and Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open.

Amanda Anisimova's Grand Slam finals

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Her absence from the Singapore Open has now blown the draw wide open, and should very much work in the favour of Eala. Notably, Anisimova has a winning head-to-head record against Eala, triumphing in their only meeting in the Cincinnati Open round of 32 earlier this year.

Of course, the Filipina icon will be taking her next tournament one game at a time, and so that means a strict focus on Tatiana Prozorova. The Russian represents her first opponent at the tournament after she battled past Sofia Costoulas in round one. It will be the first time the two players will meet in their careers.

Anisimova was the second seed at the event, which means third seed Eala is now the second-highest-ranked player involved after Mirra Andreeva. The duo are projected to meet in the final should they make it that far, with Andreeva starting out against Aliaksandra Sasnovich after she knocked out Daria Kasatkina.

Remarkably, Eala's chances of lifting the trophy received yet another boost in the early stages of the tournament. She was projected to play Donna Vekic in the quarterfinals, but the Croatian lost 6-1, 6-2 to Xinyu Wang in her opener.

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