Alex Eala has beaten her own record again just before the Cincinnati Open!
Alex Eala is quickly becoming one of tennis’s biggest new stars, and 2026 has been an amazing year for her so far. Before heading to the Cincinnati Open, she added another impressive achievement to her list.
On August 3, Alex made history by becoming the first Filipina to win a WTA singles title, taking home the trophy at the Washington Open, a big 500-level event. She came back strong to beat Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 in the final.
At the Canadian Open, she made it to the last 16 but lost 6-4, 6-0 to Belinda Bencic, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist from Switzerland. Iga Swiatek won that tournament and even gave Alex a shout-out after clinching her 25th WTA singles title.
Now, all eyes are on Alex at the Cincinnati Open. She starts in the round of 64, facing Elena-Gabriela Ruse on Saturday, August 15, after getting a first-round bye. If she wins, she could face a tough opponent next—Amanda Anisimova, who’s ranked 10th in the world and has been a Grand Slam finalist twice.
If Alex keeps winning, she might then go up against Wimbledon champ Linda Noskova in the last 16. Alex has played Noskova twice before but lost both times.
This tournament is also a great chance for Alex to get ready for the US Open, the year’s final Grand Slam. She’s already climbing the rankings, moving from 20th to 18th in the world, passing players like Ekaterina Alexandrova and Jasmine Paolini. She’s just 18 points behind 17th place Sorana Cîrstea and getting closer to the top 16. Considering she finished 2025 ranked 53rd, her rise has been really impressive.
Alex has had amazing support, especially during the Canadian Open. Her match against Alycia Parks sold out in just hours, and one food vendor even changed their menu to honor her huge Filipino fanbase. She even received congratulations from Manny Pacquiao, the Philippines’ most famous sports hero, after her Washington Open win.
Though the pressure can be tough, Alex says she enjoys it too. She shared in a press conference, “Sometimes it feels heavy, but sometimes it’s fun. I know this is a wild experience, so I’m trying to enjoy it all. I also know I wouldn’t be here without the hard work I put in, and I need to keep working to keep having these chances.”
Born in 2005, Alex says these moments have helped her grow as a person. She’s excited to keep building on her success in Cincinnati and beyond.