Alex Eala gets first round bye at Indian Wells

MANILA, Philippines — Alexandra "Alex" Eala automatically secured a second round berth (round of 64) in her debut at the Indian Wells Open (BNP Paribas) which runs from March 4 to 15 in California, United States.

That is because the Filipino tennis ace gained a first round bye for being in the top 32 of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) official rankings for the tournament's seeding cutoff on February 23.

Eala made the cut and even reached a career-best 31st rank that date, enabling her to be seeded in a 1000-level tourney for the first time and skip a first round match.

Any ranking changes after February 23 won't affect the seeding of Eala and the other 31 players in the competition also known as "the fifth Grand Slam".

The remaining 64 players in the 96-athlete field will meet in the first round, with the 32 advancing and clashing against the seeded players like Eala in the round of 64.

Some of the other seeded players in the tournament are world no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, no. 2 Iga Swiatek, no. 3 Elena Rybakina, no. 4 Coco Gauff, no. 5 Jessica Pegula, no. 5 Amanda Anisimova, no. 7 Jasmine Paolini, and no. 8 Mirra Andreeva, the defending champ.

This year's tournament champion will earn 1,000 ranking points and $1.15 million or P66.4 million.

Eala last saw action at the 1000-tier Dubai Tennis Championships where she fell to Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals on February 19, 0-6, 2-6.

Eala's tournament run, which included a 6-1, 7-6(5) upset of then world no. 8 Jasmine Paolini, earned her 215 ranking points, enabling the 20-year-old's leap from 47th to 31st in the rankings.

Eala will definitely crack the top 30 if she manages a deep run at Indian Wells.

After "the fifth Grand Slam", Eala will make her return to the Miami Open slated from March 17 to 29.

Last year, Eala made history by reaching the 1000-level tournament's semifinal as a wildcard, which enabled her to rise from 140th to 75th in the rankings at that time.

Eala is currently on vacation in Oregon, where she visited the Nike World Headquarters that displayed portraits of some of her career highlights.

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