Alexandra Eala’s coach, Sandro Viaene, has revealed significant improvements in her game, particularly her hitting power, as the 21-year-old Filipina tennis star prepares for her campaign at the Singapore Open 2026. Viaene, part of Eala’s coaching team from the Rafa Nadal Academy, discussed her recent development and prospects in an interview featured by Tennishead.
According to Viaene, Eala’s evolving talent and hard work have transformed her into a tangible threat to top players, with her consistent improvement now evident across the court, including her serve, forehand, and movement. He highlighted that she is “hitting harder” and performing better in various aspects of her game, noting that her American and grass swings were also strong performances.
Coach Praises Eala’s Enhanced Game
Speaking about Eala’s recent progress, Sandro Viaene indicated that her game is well-suited for indoor conditions, such as those at the Singapore Open. “Well, inside is a bit different, because there is no wind, there is no… It’s a bit more, the ball is always more the same. But it suits the Alex’s game; it’s good for these surfaces, for these conditions. So we didn’t change anything,” Viaene stated, emphasising a strategy of maintaining her existing approach. He added, “So keep playing how she was playing, but on indoor courts.”
Viaene also reflected on Eala’s US Open loss to Iva Jovic, describing it as an “insane” and “amazing” match. He observed it was a fantastic spectacle for viewers, showcasing the high level of play from two ambitious young competitors who “wanted to hit harder than their opponent.”
Singapore Open Draw Opens Up For Eala
Eala, seeded third and ranked 18th in the world, is considered the overwhelming favourite for her opening match against Tatiana Prozorova, who is ranked 180th. TennisTemple reported that Eala, a WTA 500 champion on hard courts from Washington 2026, possesses a significant gap in class and experience over Prozorova. The odds reflected this, with Eala at approximately 1.23 against Prozorova’s 4.28.
The path to the final for Eala has become considerably clearer following several high-profile withdrawals from the Singapore Open 2026. Players such as Jessica Pegula, second seed Amanda Anisimova, and Diana Shnaider have pulled out. Further losses by Donna Vekic and Barbora Krejcikova have also opened up the draw. If Eala wins her initial match against Prozorova, she could surpass Naomi Osaka to achieve a career-high ranking of 17th. Should she win the entire event, her ranking could climb as high as 14th.
Elsewhere in the tournament, top seed Mirra Andreeva is set to face Leylah Fernandez in a quarter-final match. Fernandez, who is chasing her sixth career title, has spoken about the immense support she receives from Filipino fans.
Filipino Fan Support Strong at Singapore Open
Leylah Fernandez, currently ranked 31st and into the Singapore Open quarter-finals, acknowledged the significant backing she receives from the Filipino community. Speaking from the event, Fernandez, who has Filipina heritage, expressed her appreciation: “It means the world to me. I mean, I felt that support since I got on tour and they found that I was part Filipino… They give you that extra motivation and that extra love to keep going,” according to Yahoo Sports. This strong support for players with Filipino roots is particularly evident at the Singapore Open, where Alexandra Eala’s presence has generated substantial interest from the fanbase.
