Alex Eala will banner the Southeast Asian contingent in the women’s singles draw of the US Open in September, according to the official entry list released Wednesday, July 22.

The 21-year-old Filipina, currently ranked No. 29 in the Women’s Tennis Association standings and seeded 29th, leads the region’s representatives alongside Janice Tjen (No. 38), Lanlana Tararudee (No. 82), and Mananchaya Sawangkaew (No. 100).

Eala joins a star-studded field headlined by defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who will face stiff competition from top-ranked contenders including Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and 2023 champion Coco Gauff.

Also in the mix are rising and in-form players such as Mirra Andreeva, along with Wimbledon finalists Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova.

The tournament will also feature former US Open champions Iga Swiatek (2022), Emma Raducanu (2021), Naomi Osaka (2018, 2020), and Bianca Andreescu (2019).

The year’s final Grand Slam is scheduled from Aug. 30 to Sept. 13 in New York City.

Ahead of the major, Eala is set to begin her hard-court buildup at the Mubadala DC Open from July 25 to Aug. 2, where she will team up anew with tennis great Venus Williams in the doubles competition.