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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala loses steam against Anisimova, exits Cincinnati Open

Alex Eala loses steam against Anisimova, exits Cincinnati Open

Published Aug 18, 2026 01:16 pm

At A Glance

  • Alex Eala put up a gallant stand but eventually lost steam against world No. 10 Amanda Anisimova, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, to exit in the Round of 32 of the WTA1000 Cincinnati Open on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Alex Eala put up a gallant stand but eventually lost steam against world No. 10 Amanda Anisimova, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, to exit in the Round of 32 of the WTA1000 Cincinnati Open on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

The Filipina tennis ace powered through a tough first set before seemingly running out of gas in the second and third sets against the finalist of last year’s US Open.

Coming off a close first set win – highlighted by a tight fifth game that saw the Filipina survive 13 deuces and eight break points, Eala struggled to keep the momentum going as Anisimova rallied back from early deficits in the second and third sets.

Eala was actually up 3-2 in the second set but Anisimova secured the next three games to take a commanding 5-3 lead. An Eala service winner in the next game kept her in the contest but Anisimova responded well and dominated the seventh game to force the decider.

In the third set, Eala once again took an early 2-0 lead but Anisimova stamped her class and took care of the last six games to complete the reversal and eliminate the Filipinas tennis sensation.

“I know Alex is such a great player and such a fighter and I know it’s gonna be a really tough match,” Anisimova said of Eala at the end of her big win that denied Eala what could have been her seventh victory against a top 10 player this season.

“I’m really proud of her performance actually for being able to find a way to push myself there in the middle of the match. I'm very happy that I was able to find my tennis and start fighting,” she added

“It was a really really tough match and credit to her she was playing some great tennis so I’m really happy for this win.”

For Eala, focus now turns to the US Open which will run from Aug. 23 to Sept. 13.

Related Tags

Alex Eala Cincinnati Open Amanda Anisimova
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