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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala shifts focus to Toronto singles campaign after doubles exit

Alex Eala shifts focus to Toronto singles campaign after doubles exit

Published Aug 7, 2026 02:43 pm

At A Glance

  • Alex Eala turns her focus to her singles campaign as she tries to extend her winning ways when she battles American Caty McNally in their Round of 32 showdown in the WTA 1000 National Bank Open in Toronto, Canada Saturday, Aug. 8 (Philippine time).
Philippines' Alexandra Eala looks over at her doubles partner United States' Venus Williams while playing against Japan's Miyu Kato and Liudmila Samsonova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Philippines' Alexandra Eala looks over at her doubles partner United States' Venus Williams while playing against Japan's Miyu Kato and Liudmila Samsonova during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Alex Eala turns her focus to her singles campaign as she tries to extend her winning ways when she battles American Caty McNally in their Round of 32 showdown in the WTA 1000 National Bank Open in Toronto, Canada Saturday, Aug. 8 (Philippine time).
The 21-year-old Eala looks to stretch her string of victories to seven in her first-ever WTA circuit encounter against McNally in their 8:10 a.m. duel at the Sobey Stadium which is expected to be packed by Filipino fans again.
Even though her next American opponent is unseeded, it wouldn’t be a walk in the park for Eala, who is rated No. 25 in the tournament, as McNally previously scored a stunning 7-6(5), 6-1 second-round win over no less than recent Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova of Czech Republic.
Noskova beat the 5-foot-9 lefty twice this year – in the Berlin Open semis and Indian Wells’ Round of 16.
The current world No. 20 Eala, however, aims to ride the momentum of her D.C. Open supremacy, perhaps, go for her first final in a WTA 1000 event.
Packing venues from Washington to Toronto, Eala, an obvious crowd favorite, always looks forward to reciprocating the love she receives in every game by giving her all on the court despite a short rest due to her tight schedule.
“I think I was so hyped after the match, this win really meant a lot and it's a great opportunity for me to learn and to grow as a player, definitely, not easy transitioning from one tournament to another so soon,” said Eala.
“And after a lot of emotions that I’ve experienced in the past 48 hours. So, really proud of myself, and hopefully I can keep the ball rolling,” added Eala moments after dispatching hometown bet Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, in Round of 64.
The winner between Eala and McNally will arrange a Last 16 duel either with Swiss Belinda Bencic or decorated doubles player American Taylor Townsend.
Eala's focus shifts to singles after she and her partner Venus Williams bowed out in doubles contention after absorbing a 4-6, 3-6 opening round loss to Japan's Miyu Kato and Russia's Liudmila Samsonova.

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