Alexandra Eala has opted to represent the Philippines at the 2026 Asian Games instead of entering the China Open, the penultimate Masters event on the WTA Tour calendar.

Speaking at the US Open, Eala explained that competing for her country was the deciding factor. “Before that, I believe I’ll be in Singapore. But yeah, I love playing and competing with the Philippine team,” said Eala at the US Open of her decision to play the Asian Games.

She added: “You know, the SEA games, the Asian Games I’ve also done. I think it’s a really fun environment and I love being with the team especially this last SEA games in December.

“I had such a great time and I think they’re really memories that stick with me and and, you know, the Asian Games happens once every four years and I just found myself drawn to competing in that aside from other stuff.”

Eala’s choice may leave her facing a WTA Tour fine, since Masters events are mandatory if a player is not injured. Even so, her commitment to the event is now settled, and the Philippine Tennis Association has confirmed the lineup for the tournament.

She will be joined by Francis Casey Alcantara, Shaira Hope Rivera, Tennielle Madis, and Stefi Marithe Aludo. The 21-year-old is the leading name in the group, but the rest of the squad also brings experience representing the Philippines on major stages.

Alcantara has won nine medals for the Philippines across the SEA Games and the Asian Games, despite never getting inside the ATP top 700. Rivera has claimed a SEA Games bronze, has played in Billie Jean King Cup competition, and collected two bronze medals at the 2025 SEA Games. The 19-year-old also appeared at the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open earlier this year, where she lost to Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the first round of the WTA 125 event.

Stefi Marithe Aludo, 17, is the youngest member of the team. She played qualifying at the Philippine Women’s Open, but fell in the final round.

In a press release, PHILTA Secretary General John Rey Tiangco said: “PHILTA is fielding a strong and competitive team for the Asian Games, led by Alex Eala alongside some of the country’s best tennis players.”

The Asian Games run from 19 September to 4 October, with tennis beginning on 27 September. That date also matches the Singapore Open, where Eala is scheduled to play, leaving her with a rapid turnaround if she reaches the final.

Alex Michelsen has moved into striking distance of a personal milestone at the US Open, where he is chasing a first Grand Slam semi-final.

The 22-year-old has advanced to the quarter-finals after a composed run that included straight-sets wins over Federico Cina, 16th seed Brandon Nakashima, Daniel Merida and 27th seed Tomas Martin Etecheverry. Each victory has added to the sense that the unseeded American is building something substantial in New York.

Michelsen, who was born in Aliso Viejo in southern Orange County, California, is only a step away from matching or bettering his career peak of No. 30. In the live ATP Rankings, the 6ft 4in player sits at No. 33, with ambitions that extend well beyond that. Whether he says them openly or not, the top 20, the top 10 and a major title remain part of the picture.

After his latest win, he offered a measured assessment of his progress, saying, “I’m doing everything pretty good, really happy. Really happy, but not really surprised after putting in all the hard work. I don’t have too many expectations on myself. I like to be a little more under the radar.”

His path to this stage has deep roots. He began playing at the age of three, with both parents having played college tennis, and his mother remains his biggest inspiration. As a junior, he reached the boys’ doubles final at the 2022 Australian Open, then won both singles and doubles at the Easter Bowl later that season. He also took the junior doubles title at Wimbledon in 2022 before turning professional.

Since then, Michelsen has collected an ITF title, a Challenger crown and reached an ATP final in Newport. He later earned his first top 10 win over Alex de Minaur in Los Cabos in 2024. He now enters Tuesday’s last-eight meeting with Frances Tiafoe still searching for a first ATP Tour title, but with his biggest opportunity yet unfolding at Flushing Meadows.

The US Open has delivered its usual mix of drama and frustration, but this year much of the irritation has centered on ticket prices at Flushing Meadows.

Base prices have risen only marginally compared with 2025, yet fans have felt the sharpest impact through secondary sales and surge pricing. Alex Eala’s matches have climbed notably in value, while $65 ground passes have reportedly appeared on secondary sites for as much as $300 during the tournament.

That backdrop has not gone unnoticed by the Laver Cup, which is preparing for Carlos Alcaraz’s next event. Working with the London Mayor, the competition has announced lower prices for every session at this year’s edition, staged at The O2 Arena from September 25th to 27th.

“London is the undisputed sporting capital of the world and I am delighted we are hosting the Laver Cup at The O2 later this month,” said Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

“I want every Londoner to have the opportunity to experience world class major sporting events in our city,” he continued. “That is why I am proud to be teaming up with the Laver Cup to provide free and reduced cost tickets for Londoners to experience world class tennis and see some of the sport’s biggest stars in action.

“This renowned tennis competition has featured many of the greats of the game and it’s an honour for London to become the first city to stage the event twice.

“We look forward to staging another fantastic competition as we work together to build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.”

“We’re delighted to work with the Mayor of London and the LTA to give more Londoners the opportunity to experience the Laver Cup when we return to The O2 later this month,” said Laver Cup CEO Steve Zacks.

“London holds a special place in Laver Cup history, and we want our return to have an impact beyond the three days of competition. By making a limited number of tickets available at a special price and welcoming more than 2,000 young Londoners to Open Practice Day, we hope to introduce new audiences to the Laver Cup and build on the community legacy we established here in 2022.”

This year’s teams will feature Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Rafael Jodar, Flavio Cobolli, Jakub Mensik, and Casper Ruud for Team Europe, against Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Alex de Minaur, Learner Tien, Alexander Bublik, and Tommy Paul for Team World.

The event returns to The O2 Arena for the first time since 2022, when Roger Federer made his final competitive appearance.