Alex Eala in line for Coco Gauff rematch in Indian Wells draw

March 4 ------ OPENING her campaign in a tournament dubbed as the “fifth Slam,” Alex Eala finds herself in a loaded draw that could set up a rematch with Coco Gauff. The 20-year-old Filipina, now ranked a career-high No. 31 in the world, earned a first-round bye as one of the BNP Paribas Open's 32 seeded players, gaining automatic entry to the Round of 64 at Indian Wells.

Eala opens against the winner between China’s Shuai Zhang (No. 62) and Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska (No. 52) in the second quarter of the draw that could potentially see a clash against American world No. 4 Coco Gauff in the Round of 32. The two last faced off in Dubai, where Gauff delivered a dominant 6-0, 6-2 quarterfinal win against the Filipina. Also looming in Eala’s side of the draw are Jasmine Paolini, Linda Noskova, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Clara Tauson, and former Indian Wells champions Paula Badosa and Bianca Andreescu. Meanwhile, the first quarter of the draw is bannered by world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, a two-time finalist still chasing her first Indian Wells crown. She is joined by Amanda Anisimova, Victoria Mboko, Iva Jovic, and Emma Raducanu.

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek headlines the fourth quarter alongside defending champion Mirra Andreeva. The WTA 1000 BNP Paribas Open marks Eala’s seventh tournament of the season and her third at the 1000 level, following campaigns in Dubai, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi (WTA 500). She has also seen action in the Philippine Women’s Open (WTA125), the Australian Open, and the ASB Classic (WTA250) to open her 2026 slate. With the 52-week cycle of her breakthrough 390-point haul from last year’s run to the semifinals of the Miami Open fast approaching, a deep run in Indian Wells would be crucial to cushion the impact of the looming points drop.

Protecting her hard-earned ranking inside the Top 32 will be a key objective as the tour transitions deeper into the North American swing. The Miami Open begins on March 15, serving as the second leg of the prestigious “Sunshine Doubles” —the back-to-back hardcourt showpieces in Indian Wells and Miami that often shape the early-season hierarchy on the tour.

Source: spin.ph