MASON, Ohio — Alex Eala is once again knocking on the door of another major Top 10 upset — and this time, Amanda Anisimova is standing in her way.
The Filipina tennis sensation has seized the momentum in a tense Cincinnati Open Round of 32 showdown against the ninth-seeded American, with the latest live update showing Eala ahead 2–1 in the deciding third set after the two players split the opening sets. Eala took the first set 6–4, but Anisimova answered with a 6–4 second-set victory, setting up a dramatic finish.
The match is Eala’s first career meeting with Anisimova, and it has quickly developed into another high-profile test for the 21-year-old Filipina, who has built a reputation for taking down some of the biggest names in women’s tennis.
Eala chasing another Top 10 breakthrough
Before facing Anisimova, Eala had already collected nine victories over Top 10 opponents, including wins over Iga Swiatek, Elina Svitolina, Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina.
A victory over Anisimova would give Eala her 10th career Top 10 win, adding another chapter to one of the most remarkable breakout runs by a Filipino tennis player.
Eala entered Cincinnati carrying plenty of confidence.
The Filipina had won her maiden WTA singles title in Washington before reaching the fourth round of the National Bank Open in Toronto. According to the WTA, she arrived in Cincinnati with an 8–1 record during the North American hard-court swing and had won eight of her previous nine matches.
That momentum continued in her opening Cincinnati match.
Ruse retirement sends Eala into Round of 32
Eala advanced from the Round of 64 after Elena-Gabriela Ruse retired with an ankle injury while trailing 6–1, 3–0.
Although the early ending was not the way Eala wanted to advance, it gave her valuable recovery time ahead of the much tougher assignment against Anisimova. The WTA also noted that the result marked Eala’s first career win at the Cincinnati Open.
Eala herself said she was pleased with how she had been striking the ball and maintaining her focus before the match was stopped.
She also expressed concern for Ruse, wishing her opponent a speedy recovery after the injury retirement.
Anisimova brings her own firepower
Anisimova entered the matchup after a convincing 6–2, 6–3 victory over Zeynep Sonmez in the previous round.
The American is no stranger to big stages, and she has already shown that she can handle the pressure surrounding a major tournament. Her meeting with Eala, however, represents an entirely new challenge: the two have never faced each other professionally before.
Adding another layer to the matchup is the atmosphere.
Anisimova acknowledged Eala’s growing Filipino fan base and said she was looking forward to playing in front of a packed crowd. Rather than viewing the support for Eala as a problem, the American said she hoped to feed off the energy inside the stadium.
That atmosphere has become increasingly familiar for Eala as her profile continues to rise on the WTA Tour.
The Filipina has also admitted that the attention surrounding her has increased, but she views the added responsibilities and media attention as part of her growth as a professional player.
And now, everything comes down to the third set
With the first two sets split and Eala currently holding a 2–1 lead in the third, the Cincinnati Open showdown has reached its most critical stage.
For Eala, the stakes are enormous.
A victory would not only send her into the Cincinnati Open Round of 16 but also give her another Top 10 scalp just weeks before the US Open.
And there is already a potential next challenge waiting.
If Eala survives Anisimova, she would advance to face the winner of Linda Noskova and Clara Tauson in the Round of 16.
For now, however, Eala’s attention remains on one court, one opponent and one opportunity.
Another Top 10 upset is within reach — but the biggest points of the night are still to be played.
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