On Saturday, the Russian top tennis star was scheduled to team up with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and play against Philippine WTA star and Juncheng Shang.
While a singles match between Davidovich Fokina and Shang was in progress, it was reported that Andreeva was ill and she might not play her mixed doubles match.
Alex Eala practices for her MGM Macau Tennis Masters match today! But there are rumors that Mirra Andreeva fell ill, which later prevented her from playing. This means that Alex and her partner Jerry Shang get to play against two men for a fun doubles match. 🎾💪 pic.twitter.com/cfxtX4ajdd
— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) December 27, 2025
A few hours later that proved to be true when the two-time WTA 1000 champion withdrew. With the 18-year-old Russian and Eala being the only two female players competing in Macau this weekend, it was impossible for organizers to stage a mixed doubles event.
So in the end, the organizers figured out to keep the original duo, 20-year-old Filipina and Shang, and have them play against Davidovich Fokina and Wibing Yu.
Not Alex Eala who accidentally started a battle of the sexes. Oh, the Aryna Sabalenka impact 😭🤣
Mirra Andreeva, girl, you better show up tomorrow 💀
— wahaha (@BluError11) December 27, 2025
Eala and Shang did well, but ultimately lost in two tight sets
You would think that Eala and Shang would lose the match easily. But the reality was different as Davidovich Fokina and Wu had to fight hard before recording a 7-5 7-6 (1) victory.
In the second set, the Filipino and Chinese male players even had a set point in the 10th game before losing in straight sets.
On Sunday, Andreeva will meet Eala in singles. It remains to be seen whether the world number 9 will be healthy enough to play.
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