Alex Eala and her teammate, Juncheng “Jerry” Shang, suffered a loss in the mixed doubles exhibition event of the 2025 MGM Macau Tennis Masters after facing the tandem of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Wu Yibing on the evening of December 27 at the Macao Forum.
Strong Start for Alex in the Captain’s Challenge
Before stepping onto the court for mixed doubles, Eala first made an immediate impact in the captain’s challenge, helping Team Li Na secure a 4–2 victory over Team Conchita Martinez.
She earlier joined forces with Jerry Shang of China and British standout Jack Draper to outlast a stacked opposing trio that included Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Jakub Menšík, and Yibing Wu.
The result gave Team Li Na early momentum and highlighted Eala’s ability to thrive in team-based formats against elite competition.
Last-Minute Change of Opponent Alters Mixed Doubles Matchup
Originally, Eala and Shang were scheduled to face Wu and world No. 9 Mirra Andreeva in the mixed doubles event.
However, Andreeva was forced to withdraw shortly before match time after reportedly feeling unwell.
Her withdrawal led to a last-minute adjustment, with Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina stepping in to partner Wu, turning the contest into a mixed-format matchup against two Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) level opponents.
Despite the sudden change, Eala and Shang stood their ground early.
Credits: MGM Macau Tennis Masters via Instagram
The opening set saw both sides locked in evenly contested games, with the score tied at 1-all and 3-all as neither pair could gain separation.
Late in the set, Wu and Davidovich Fokina capitalized on a narrow opening, edging ahead to take the first frame after sustained pressure in the closing games.
FINAL SCORE OF SET 1: 7-5
The second set unfolded in similar fashion, with neither team able to pull away.
Eala and Shang briefly gained momentum after holding serve to move ahead 5–4, but a costly error from Shang in the following game handed their opponents a crucial break point.
Wu and Fokina surged to a 40–0 lead, earning four match points and appearing poised to close out the contest.
Refusing to fold, Eala and Shang mounted a spirited comeback, clawing back to deuce and eventually forcing the set into a tiebreak at 6-all.
Credits: MGM Macau Tennis Masters via Instagram
Any hopes of a comeback were short-lived in the tiebreak, as Wu and Davidovich Fokina unleashed a barrage of heavy shots that Eala and Shang struggled to counter. The Chinese-Spanish duo raced ahead to secure the breaker as they sealed a straight-sets victory.
FINAL SCORE OF SET 2: 7–6(1)
The loss gave Team Conchita Martinez two more points in the overall standings, pushing their lead to 4–1 midway through the exhibition. Earlier in the day, Fokina also contributed points for his team by defeating Shang in the men’s singles match.
Holding Her Own Against ATP Players
Despite the defeat, Eala’s performance stood out, particularly given the circumstances. Competing against two seasoned ATP players on short notice, the 20-year-old demonstrated composure and competitiveness, reinforcing her reputation as one of the sport’s rising stars.
Her effort drew attention not just for the scoreline, but for how she handled extended rallies, pressure moments, and the physical demands of facing higher-ranked male opponents.
Light Moment for Eala-Shang Duo After the Match
The unconventional nature of the contest was not lost on Eala, who addressed the mixed doubles format with humor afterward.
“I think maybe it was more fun for me than it was for Jerry,” she said.
Looking Ahead to Singles Showdown
With her mixed doubles duties complete, Eala now turns her focus to the marquee matchup of the tournament which is the women’s singles clash against Andreeva on Sunday, December 28, pending the Russian’s recovery.
The match will mark Eala’s final competition of the year and comes as she continues to build on a banner 2025 season that included a rise into the WTA Top 50, her first WTA title, and a long-awaited SEA Games gold medal that ended a 26-year drought for Philippine women’s singles tennis.
As she balances competition with family time in festive Macau, Eala has embraced the moment both on and off the court.
“I’m enjoying a lot of my time here in Macau with my family. This place is so festive and everything is grand. It’s a fitting place to spend this time of the year around the holidays. Macau is many things, it’s a combination of many things,” said Eala.
With one event in the books and another looming, Eala remains firmly in the spotlight, which is closing out her season against one of the world’s best as she sets her sights on the challenges ahead.
