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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Eala to face world No. 10 Anisimova in Cincinnati third round

Eala to face world No. 10 Anisimova in Cincinnati third round

Published Aug 16, 2026 01:07 pm

At A Glance

  • This would be the first time that the 21-year-old Eala is competing against the two-time Grand Slam finalist, who ranked as high as No. 3 early this year.
Alex Eala is set to face another Top 10 player in the third round of the Cincinnati Open. (File Photo/ Canadian Press for AP)
Alex Eala is set to face another Top 10 player in the third round of the Cincinnati Open. (File Photo/ Canadian Press for AP)

Another elite player awaits Alex Eala on court when she faces world No. 10 Amanda Anisimova in the third round of the Cincinnati Open in Ohio on Monday, Aug. 17.

This would be the first time that the 21-year-old Eala is competing against the two-time Grand Slam finalist, who ranked as high as No. 3 early this year.

Eala, seeded 17th, is coming off a dominant 6-1, 3-0 (ret) second round win over Elena-Gabriela Ruse, who retired with a right foot injury.

“It’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to continue the match and first and foremost, just wish Gabby a speedy recovery. Health is just the number one priority for everybody so I hope she gets better soon,” the Filipina said in a post-match interview.

“I think I played really well. I think I found my groove and I was able to hold that until I guess the end of the match, so I’m really happy with it,” she added.

The 24-year-old Anisimova, meanwhile, is fresh from a 6-2, 6-3 thumping of Zeynep Sonmez.

Seeded ninth in this WTA 1000 tournament, the American star said she is thrilled to face Eala for the first time.

“I haven’t played her (Eala) before. She’s been having such an incredible season, incredible year. Very great player with a lot of tennis fans,” Anisimova said.

She also expected a big crowd in their match, knowing how Eala’s fan base has grown over the past months.

“I’m really looking forward to that. I know that it’s probably gonna be a very packed stadium. I’m sure it will be really fun,” she said.

While Eala has an impressive two-week stretch that saw her winning her breakthrough WTA Tour title at the Mubadala DC Open and a fourth-round finish at the National Bank Open in Toronto, Anisimova, for her part has an impressive run at the Grand Slams that include a quarterfinal finish at the Australian Open and third-round finished at the French Open and the Wimbledon.

Another win over Anisimova would give Eala her seventh victory against a Top 10 player this season and her 10th overall in her career.

It would also set up a next match with the winner between reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova and Clara Tauson.

Related Tags

Alex Eala Amanda Anisimova Cincinnati Open WTA Tour
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