Filipino tennis star Alex Eala’s run at the Cincinnati Open came to an end after falling to World No. 10 Amanda Anisimova in a tough three-set battle in the Round of 32.
The 21-year-old Eala, who entered the WTA 1000 tournament ranked World No. 20 and seeded 17th, drew first blood in her first career meeting against the ninth-seeded American. Demonstrating composure on key points, Eala took the opening set 6-4 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.
However, Anisimova mounted a strong comeback in the second set, leveling the match 6-4 before dominating the deciding frame 6-2 to secure her spot in the Round of 16.
Eala had reached the third round of the tournament following a walkover victory against Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse, who was forced to retire due to an ankle injury while Eala led 6-1, 3-0.
Despite the early exit in Cincinnati, Eala’s North American hard-court swing remains impressive. The Filipina secured her first WTA 500 title at the Mubadala DC Open earlier this month after defeating top-seeded Jessica Pegula, adding to a standout season that includes victories over several top-10 players including Iga Świątek, Elena Rybakina, and Elina Svitolina. Eala now turns her attention to preparing for the US Open later this month.
