A Depleted Field Takes Shape in Singapore
Jessica Pegula has become the seventh player to withdraw from the Singapore Open, citing the brutal physical toll of a packed North American hardcourt stretch. The American played 19 matches in just over a month, finishing runner-up at the Washington DC Open, reaching the round of 16 at the Canadian Open, losing the Cincinnati Open final, and then falling in the US Open semifinals. In her own words, she is "not quite ready" to compete at the level she demands of herself, and she expressed genuine regret at missing the event.
Pegula is far from alone in pulling out. Diana Shnaider, Sorana Cirstea, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Anastasia Potapova, Ann Li, and Clara Tauson have all withdrawn ahead of the tournament, which opens the Asian swing on September 21. Players including Alycia Parks, Daria Kasatkina, Talia Gibson, and Aliaksandra Sasnovich have already moved into the main draw as a result of the earlier exits, and further changes may follow.
Andreeva Steps Up, Eala Gets a Seeding Boost
With Pegula gone, world number five Mirra Andreeva inherits the top seed position, while Amanda Anisimova headlines the bottom half of the draw. Alex Eala, the Filipino star who has been one of the most active players on tour in 2026, moves up to the third seed. Eala has logged 61 matches this season, trailing only Pegula and Elena Rybakina on that list, and arrives in Singapore fresh from a third-round run at the US Open.
Defending champion Elise Mertens, who claimed the title at the inaugural edition of the event in February 2025, is also in the mix. That earlier tournament was a WTA 250 competition, but the Singapore Open has since been upgraded to WTA 500 status and moved to September, raising the stakes considerably for all involved. TennisDraw users picking Eala for a deep run here will be watching the updated seedings with considerable interest.
