33rd Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Alex Eala is set to face world-ranked No. 9 Mirra Andreeva in both the Singles and Doubles tournament of the 2025 MGM Macau Tennis Masters in Macau from December 27 to 28.
Andreeva vs Eala: A Familiar Rivalry Rekindled in Macau
Standing across the net from Eala in Macau is a familiar foe.
Andreeva, just 18 years old, is currently ranked world No. 9 and enjoyed a stellar year of her own, winning two WTA 1000 titles at the Dubai Tennis Championships and the Indian Wells Open, while also reaching the quarterfinals of Wimbledon.
Although this will be their first professional meeting, the two young stars share history.
They previously clashed in the quarterfinals of the 2022 US Open girls’ tournament, where Eala emerged victorious with a 6-4, 6-0 win en route to claiming her first junior Grand Slam title, which is a historic milestone that made her the first Filipina to achieve the feat.
Ironically, the pair also joined forces in the doubles event of the same tournament, reaching the second round, highlighting the competitive respect between them even at a young age.
Mixed Doubles Opening Act
Before her singles clash with Andreeva, Eala will first see action in the mixed doubles event on Saturday, December 27.
Partnering with Jerry Shang, the No. 167-ranked Filipina in doubles will face the tandem of the No. 12-ranked Russian and Wu Yibing.
Shang is a 20-year-old currently ranked No. 47 in singles and unranked in doubles. Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Yibing is ranked No. 54 in singles and No. 295 in doubles.
The doubles match serves as both a competitive tune-up and an opportunity for Eala to quickly adapt to Macau’s conditions ahead of the marquee singles encounter the following day.
Last Singles Tournament of Alex for a Historic 2025
Eala’s singles showdown against Andreeva on Sunday, December 28, marks her final match of 2025, which is going to be a fitting finale to a year defined by breakthroughs and milestones.
Over the past season, Eala cracked the WTA Top 100, climbed as high as No. 50 in the rankings, earned her first Grand Slam main-draw victory at the US Open, captured a WTA 125 title in Guadalajara, and secured her first SEA Games gold medal.
Currently, Alex is ranked No. 53, and the Macau Masters also serves as a valuable stepping stone as she gears up for her maiden main-draw appearance at the Australian Open in January.
Team Format and Star-Studded Lineups
The MGM Macau Tennis Masters adopts a unique team-based exhibition format, featuring squads led by Grand Slam champions Li Na and Conchita Martinez.
Eala competes under the team captained by Li, the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open champion.
Her squad also includes French standout Ugo Humbert and rising Chinese talent Jerry Shang.
On the opposite side, Martinez, a former 1994 Wimbledon champion, leads a formidable team composed of Andreeva, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and Wu Yibing.
The format includes men’s and women’s singles matches as well as mixed doubles, offering fans an exciting showcase of elite talent during the holiday season.
From SEA Games Glory to International Spotlight
Eala’s arrival in Macau marks more than just another tournament appearance.
It comes after her golden triumph in the SEA Games campaign in Nonthaburi, Thailand, where the 20-year-old delivered a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory over home favorite Mananchaya Sawangkaew to capture the women’s singles gold medal, the country’s first since Maricris Fernandez achieved the feat in 1999.
In addition to her gold medal, Eala also claimed two bronze medals: one in the women’s team event alongside Stefi Aludo, Alexa Milliam, Tennielle Madis, and Shaira Rivera, and another in mixed doubles with Niño Alcantara.
The triumphant run further solidified her rise as the Philippines’ brightest tennis star.
After celebrating her achievement and spending a short Christmas break with family, Eala immediately plunged back into action, eager to build momentum heading into the new season.
Sharing the Holiday Spirit on the Court
Beyond competition, Eala has embraced the festive atmosphere surrounding the Macau Masters, sharing her excitement with fans on social media.
“I’d love to share the joy of winning gold with you guys at the 2025 MGM Macau Tennis Masters. The holidays are for sharing—come spend them with us on court.”
She echoed the same message in the video, saying:
“Hi everyone, I’m Alexandra Eala. I’m so excited to be part of the MGM Macau Masters this December,” and added,
“Come join us at the Macau Forum on the 27th and the 28th. The holidays are for sharing, so please come share it with us on the court.”
Building Confidence for What Lies Ahead
While the Macau Masters is classified as an exhibition event, the level of competition remains elite, providing Eala with an ideal platform to sharpen her game against top-tier opponents before the start of the 2026 season.
A strong showing against Andreeva, who is also one of the sport’s fastest-rising stars, can definitely offer a timely confidence boost as Eala prepares for the challenges of the Australian Open and beyond.
As she steps onto the Macau court for the final time this year, Eala does so not just as a rising prospect but as a proven winner carrying the momentum of a historic season and the expectations of a nation eager to see how far she can go next.
