Mirra Andreeva was forced to withdraw from a mixed doubles match at the Macau Tennis Masters, which led to an interesting situation and Alexandra Eala playing a match involving three men.

On Saturday, the top-ranked Russian female tennis player was scheduled to team up with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and play against the Filipina WTA star and Juncheng Shang. 

While a singles match between Davidovich Fokina and Shang was ongoing, it was reported that Andreeva was ill and that she may not play her mixed doubles match.

Alex Eala is practicing for her MGM Macau Tennis Masters match happening today! But there is word that Mirra Andreeva fell ill, making her unable to play later. This means Alex and her partner Jerry Shang may play against two men for a fun doubles match. 🎾💪 pic.twitter.com/cfxtX4ajdd

— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) December 27, 2025

A few hours later, that turned out to be true as the two-time WTA 1000 champion pulled out. Since the 18-year-old Russian and Eala are the only two female players competing in Macau this weekend, it made it impossible for the organizers to stage a mixed doubles match.

So, in the end, the organizers figured out to keep the original pair the 20-year-old Filipina and Shang, and have them play against Davidovich Fokina and Wibing Yu.

Not Alex Eala accidentally starting a battle of the sexes. Oh, the Aryna Sabalenka impact 😭🤣 Mirra Andreeva, girl, you better show up tomorrow 💀

— wahahaha (@BluError11) December 27, 2025

One would think that Eala and Shang would easily lose the match. But the reality was different as Davidovich Fokina and Wu had to fight hard before registering a 7-5 7-6 (1) win.

In the second set, the Filipina and the Chinese male player even had a set point in the 10th game before losing in two sets.

On Sunday, Andreeva is scheduled to meet Eala in singles. It remains to be seen if the world No. 9 will be healthy enough to play.