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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Another tough test awaits Alex Eala in Cincinnati

Another tough test awaits Alex Eala in Cincinnati

Published Aug 12, 2026 03:08 pm

At A Glance

  • Eala awaits the winner between Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Magda Linette -- two players whom she has previously faced.
Philippines' Alexandra Eala hits a return to United States' Caty McNally during a National Bank Open tennis match in Toronto on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Philippines' Alexandra Eala hits a return to United States' Caty McNally during a National Bank Open tennis match in Toronto on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Another stern test awaits Alex Eala as she finds herself in the bottom half of the draw at the Cincinnati Open in Ohio, which fires off on Thursday, Aug. 13 (Friday, Aug. 14, Philippine time).
The 21-year-old Filipina secured an opening-round bye after being seeded 17th in the WTA 1000 tournament, which serves as a prelude to the season’s final Grand Slam, the US Open, set later this month.
Eala awaits the winner between Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Magda Linette -- two players whom she has previously faced.
Eala played against Ruse in their first and only meeting at the  2024 US Open third qualifying round, where the Filipina lost in three sets.
The world No. 20 has also won her last two meetings with Linette, taking their Round of 32 clash at the 2026 Miami Open and their quarterfinal encounter at the ASB Classic in New Zealand.
Eala, however, dropped their first two encounters at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Open and the 2025 Nottingham Open.
A potential showdown against reigning Wimbledon champion and sixth seed Linda Noskova also awaits Eala deeper into the draw, while other notable players in her bracket are two-time Grand Slam finalist Amanda Anisimova, No. 27 Clara Tauson, No. 15 Sorana Cirstea and third seed Jessica Pegula.
Ranked No. 20 in the world, Eala is riding the momentum of her breakthrough WTA Tour title at the Mubadala DC Open last week and her fourth-round finish at the National Bank Open in Toronto, Canada early this week.

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