Alex Eala has been given a very difficult draw at the Cincinnati Open as she looks to continue the great form she’s produced over the past few months.

Eala has cracked the WTA Tour top 20 thanks to winning the Washington Open, reaching the Berlin Open semi finals, and landing a Wimbledon fourth round place for the first time.

The Filipina star continued her good form at the Canadian Open, where she reached the round of 16, but she will have to be at her best to earn the same achievement at the Cincinnati Open.

Eala is seeded for the Masters tournament, but it has not given her an easy ride at the event at all.

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The star has been gifted with a bye in the first round and she will play either Magda Linette or Elena-Gabriela Ruse in her first match at the tournament.

Should she get through that tie, that’s when her tournament will start to get really tough.

Next up will likely be Amanda Anisimova, who will be hoping to hit the ground running on home soil ahead of an appearance at the US Open.

Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova could be next, while Jessica Pegula, who Eala defeated in the Washington Open final, is her most likely quarter final opponent.

Iga Swiatek, or Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, could await in the semi finals, while Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff are Eala’s most likely final opponents.

Alex Eala’s most likely route at the Cincinnati Open

- Round One: Bye

- Round Two: Magda Linette

- Round Three: Amanda Anisimova

- Round Four: Linda Noskova

- QF: Jessica Pegula

- SF: Iga Swiatek

- F: Aryna Sabalenka

Eala has played a lot of tennis in recent months and looked on the brink of burnout during her Canadian Open matches against Caty McNally and Belinda Bencic.

Her difficult draw could actually be a silver lining if she is knocked out in the early stages, as she will be given more time to prepare for the US Open.

That star is set to be one of the biggest attractions at the US Open this year, such is her popularity at present. She will likely be on the posters for the Grand Slam and dominate the promotional appearances.

That can take a lot out of a player and an early exit at the Cincinnati Open could be just what she needs to have a deep run at Flushing Meadows in late August.

Eala will be making her main draw debut at the Cincinnati Open this year, so she will be picking up ranking points no matter what happens at the tournament.