Alex Eala’s path to winning the US Open could take her through four Grand Slam champions.
Alex Eala faces a tough path to the later rounds of the 2026 US Open — including a possible match against a former champion as early as round four. She’s seeded 17th for the tournament, moving up one spot after Victoria Mboko had to withdraw due to injury.
The Filipina player is placed in the sixth section and will start off against a qualifier in the first round. Because of her growing popularity, there’s a good chance her opening match might be played on the main court, Arthur Ashe Stadium. Former doubles champ Patrick McEnroe has even suggested the organizers put her on the big courts since she draws big crowds.
Her first match will likely happen on Sunday, but the exact time will be announced once her qualifier opponent is confirmed. If she wins, she’ll face either Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykov or American wildcard Reese Brantmeier in round two.
Eala’s close friend, 18-year-old American star Iva Jovic, who is seeded 14th, could be her opponent in round three. Jovic beat Eala at the French Open earlier this year.
Round four gets even trickier, where Eala might play against 2023 US Open champ Coco Gauff — if they both make it that far. Gauff has had some good runs this year, reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals and Australian Open quarter-finals, though she got knocked out in the third round at Roland-Garros.
If Eala makes it past round four, she could then face players from the fifth section of the draw, including French Open champ Mirra Andreeva and last year’s US Open runner-up Amanda Anisimova. Anisimova recently beat Eala in a tough three-set match at the Cincinnati Open and praised her as a great player and fighter.
In sections seven and eight, where Eala’s potential semi-final opponents could come from, there are big names like Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, and Elena Rybakina. Rybakina, the world number two and Australian Open winner this year, could even become the new number one if she reaches the semi-finals. She has a chance to claim the top spot even if she loses early, depending on how Gauff, Jessica Pegula, or current number one Aryna Sabalenka perform.
Sabalenka, Pegula, reigning Wimbledon champ Linda Noskova, Barbora Krejcikova, and Sofia Kenin are all in the top half of the draw and might be Eala’s opponents if she reaches a historic Grand Slam final.