Alex Eala could escape $10,000 punishment after making controversial WTA decision

All eyes are on Alex Eala at the Asian Games, and it isn't just her performances that people are watching out for.

Eala started the tournament in style with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Patcharin Cheapchandej to advance to the third round against world number 142 Joanna Garland. The 21-year-old then began her doubles campaign emphatically alongside Shaira Rivera Ching, defeating Laam Lai and Kallista Liu, 6-1, 6-3 on Tuesday.

The Filipino is the overwhelming favourite to win the singles event, but she is also at risk of incurring a fine from the WTA. That is because she has decided against competing at the China Open - a mandatory WTA 1000 event - to compete in the prestigious global event.

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Greg Rusedski thinks Alex Eala will avoid WTA fine

Eala could reportedly receive a fine of up to $10,000 and a zero-point ranking penalty because she is missing Beijing. But the youngster - who won her first WTA singles title at the Washington Open in August - was always adamant about representing her country regardless of the repercussions.

According to former Grand Slam winner and world number four Greg Rusedski, "common sense" from the WTA should prevail, and a fine shouldn't be on the cards.

Speaking on the Off Court with Greg Rusedski podcast, Rusedski is confident the organisation will make the "right call" and believes there should be "exemptions" to the rule in this instance.

"Well, common sense isn’t very common in this world we live in. And you know there’s always going to be like exemption rules,” the 53-year-old said.

“I mean, for her to play the Asian Games is huge for her country and to be able to win that or medal in the Philippines that is massive.

“So from my point of view, sometimes you need to get exemptions in the rule. It’ll be interesting to see what happens and what the WTA decides – I’m sure they’ll make the right call and they won’t fine her.

“Because you don’t want players missing the 1000 events, but there’s a thing that is really good for the sport outside of the 1000’s sometimes, because this is huge in Asia to win the Asian Games.”

Eala is looking to take home gold for her country for the first time after collecting a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games following victories over Sarah Mahboob Khan, Rutuja Bhosale and Kyoka Okamura.

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Alex Eala must improve her serve to reach the next level

A triumph at the Asian Games would be another incredible milestone in Eala's young career. But the Filipino superstar is relentlessly ambitious, and she has dreams of winning a Grand Slam in the future.

Her latest appearance at a major came at the US Open, when she was knocked out in the last 16 by close friend Iva Jovic, with the 18-year-old securing a three-set victory.

Eala followed up that performance with a shock defeat to Tatiana Prozovora at the Singapore Open last week, and when asked about the area of her game she needs to improve most, the legendary John McEnroe discussed her serve as a weak point.

"If she wants to win one of these majors, she’s got to improve the serve. It’s a liability. It’s gotten better, but, you know, there’s more to come," the former Wimbledon champion said.

The statistics also reinforce that claim, as during her loss to Prozovora, she recorded a whopping seven double faults and only won 52 per cent of her points on first serve.