Alex Eala match triggers Canadian Open organisers to make big tournament change

Canadian Open organisers had to make a key decision before Alex Eala's first match - and will likely have to do so for as long as she remains in the tournament.

Eala, who won her maiden WTA 500 title at the Washington Open on Monday, was back in action just two days later in Toronto when she defeated Alycia Parks 6-1 4-6 6-2.

Parks, the WTA world number 68, proved to be a significant threat on serve, recording 10 aces during the three-set match.

But Eala eased over the line by winning the final set comfortably, buoyed by a fever-pitch crowd in Toronto.

The 21-year-old, from the Philippines, was reported by Tennis Connected, to have been the first player, male or female, to have sold out an opening Wednesday night session at the Canadian Open since Serena Williams.

READ MORE: Alex Eala to match Serena Williams in achieving incredible feat after winning Washington Open title

The presence of home favourite Leylah Fernandez will also have contributed to that, with the Canadian defeating Renata Zarazua in straight sets 6-2 6-2 in the same session.

But Eala is arguably the biggest rising star in tennis right now and has a significant amount of support behind her.

So much so that, according to tournament director Karl Hale, her first-round match could not be scheduled anywhere other than Centre Court - because she simply sold too many tickets.

"Our Grandstand court is 2,800 seats," Hale told Tennis Channel. "We can't put her on there because she probably sold upwards of 5,000 tickets."

He also revealed that organisers are also changing the on-site menu for fans for whenever Eala is playing, given the large Filipino following that her matches attract: "It's the first time I've ever heard of a tournament, halfway through the tournament, add a food offering just because of a player."

"It's great to have the Filipino community out in droves here," he added. "Alex is an absolute blessing to the sport of tennis and our tournament.

"The Filipino community, for months now, has been calling in, asking when does she play, who does she play, where does she play. They were so excited to have her.

"When we made the draw, we told them we'd announce her start time when it was confirmed. When we announced it, the phones rang, tickets sold, and boom - it was sold out Wednesday night. Just like that."

Who does Alex Eala plays next at Canadian Open?

Eala takes on US star Caty McNally in her third round match, which is scheduled to take place on Friday evening in Toronto.

Should she progress through that match, the 21-year-old would then take on the winner of Taylor Townsend versus 12th seed Belinda Bencic in the quarter-finals.

Two-time Grand Slam winner Coco Gauff is a possible opponent in the semi-finals.

Speaking about Eala's impact on tennis during her post-match press conference, Gauff said: "I think the demographic that Alex is bringing to the sport of tennis is so great, and I think all of us should embrace that, because we're all benefitting from it.

"When I played her in Dubai, it was such a great atmosphere to play in. To just see a nation of people who maybe don't always feel represented in this sport, really see themselves out there, I think is incredibly inspiring. And it makes it fun for me to go out there and just play, and I gained some fans from her community off that match, which I think was cool.

"I know Alex personally, and what you guys see on the court is what we see off the court. I'm always going to be supporting her and it was great to see her win in D.C."