Alexandra Eala is what the WTA needed. She is the biggest natural global attraction phenomenon in the WTA right now. Like what Manny Pacquiao did for boxing. She is the electric star with the most ardent, devoted and loyal fanbase in the WTA today. Coco, Rybakina, Sabalenka, Pegula, Anisimova, Emma simply do not move the crowds or the needle like Eala. Mark my words, Eala can save the WTA.
I stand with Mirra Andreeva. She lost a nightmare of a match yesterday to the suddenly excellent world beater Katerina Siniakova and she showed she’s human and imperfect after. I love her passion, fury and hatred of failure. Tennis needs more of what Andreeva brings to the court, the good, the bad and the ugly. Tennis is about all of that, the agony and the ecstasy. Siniakova suddenly looks like a Grand Slam champion in singles in how she beat Kenin, the red hot Cirstea and now Andreeva all in three sets. This surge of singles greatness by Siniakova is long overdue.
Novak Djokovic was in a tennis brawl yesterday but hung in there late in the third set. The match could have gone either way as Aleksandar Kovacevic was playing the match of his career. Then as soon as Novak earned his chance at the end he ended it like a cobra strike. Important win vs the rising force Kovacevic. Djokovic then went out and won is doubles match with Tsistsipas vs the defending Sunshine double and Rome champions.
Alex Michelsen beat Taylor Fritz again yesterday and his now 2-0 career vs the no. 7 Fritz. Michelsen is also 3-0 vs Learner Tien, all in straight sets, since losing to Tien at Next Gen semifinals in 2024 in five sets. The case can be made that Michelsen is actually – or trending to become – the best American player right now.
Elena Rybakina beat Marta Kostyuk last night and got a handshake at net.
Eala shares some history with her next opponent in the Indian Wells R16, world no. 14 Linda Noskova. Eala, 20, and Noskova, 21 have played in 2018 and 2020 as juniors, with the Filipina prevailing in both duels.
Alexandra Eala · ATP · BNP Paribas Open · Novak Djokovic · WTA