Eala returning a shot from Anisimova | Photo (cropped) WTA via Milo
CINCINNATI, Ohio — Filipina tennis star Alex Eala delivered one of her strongest WTA 1000 performances to date at the Cincinnati Open, showcasing tactical maturity, improved serve placement, and trademark resilience before bowing out in a tight three‑set battle against world No. 10 Amanda Anisimova. The match capped a week that saw Eala rise to a projected career‑high world No. 17 in the live WTA rankings after her second‑round victory.
Eala Enters Cincinnati with a Bye, Starts Strong in Second Round
Eala arrived in Cincinnati seeded 17th, earning her a first‑round bye — a milestone for the 21‑year‑old in her debut appearance at the WTA 1000 event. The bye gave her additional rest and placed her directly into the second round, where she faced world No. 74 Elena‑Gabriela Ruse.
The Filipina dominated the match, winning nine straight games after dropping her opening service game. She led 6–1, 3–0 when Ruse retired due to injury. Eala broke Ruse five times and won 43 of the 62 points played, demonstrating sharp footwork, heavy topspin forehands, and improved serve variety.
The win extended Eala’s strong summer run, which included a fourth‑round appearance at the Canadian Open and a title at the Washington Open.
Anisimova Praises Eala Before Their First Meeting
Ahead of their third‑round clash, Amanda Anisimova spoke highly of Eala’s rise.
“I haven’t played her before,” she said. “She’s been having such an incredible season, an incredible year. Very great player with a lot of fans… I know it’s probably going to be a very packed stadium, so I’m sure it will be really fun.”
The match marked their first‑ever meeting.
First Set: Eala’s Early Control Meets Anisimova’s Power Shift
Eala started the match aggressively, using her lefty angles and deep topspin forehand to push Anisimova behind the baseline. She earned an early break and dictated several rallies with varied shot selection.
Eala’s strengths came from her heavy forehand spin, early point construction, and effective use of angles. Anisimova’s early weaknesses were observed with her backhand inconsistency and difficulty handling high‑spinning balls.
But midway through the set, Anisimova adjusted. She stepped inside the baseline, flattened her groundstrokes, and attacked Eala’s second serve. The American’s pace rushed Eala, whose first‑serve percentage dipped. Anisimova took the opener 6–4.
Second Set: Eala Responds with Tactical Maturity
The second set highlighted Eala’s growing composure. Instead of trying to match Anisimova’s pace, she slowed down rallies, added more spin, and forced longer exchanges. This exposed Anisimova’s weaker movement on wide balls and triggered a rise in unforced errors.
Eala’s lefty slice serve out wide became a key weapon, repeatedly opening the court for forehand winners. She broke twice and closed out the set 6–3 with a confident service game.
Eala’s strengths were in her serve placement, rally patience, and exploiting Anisimova’s movement as she struggled in extended rallies and difficulty defending wide angles.
Third Set: Fatigue, Pressure Points, and Anisimova’s Experience
The final set was a test of endurance. Both players showed signs of fatigue, but Anisimova elevated her level during crucial points. She attacked Eala’s forehand corner early in rallies and mixed in well‑timed drop shots that caught Eala off guard.
Eala remained patient, refusing to overhit, but her second serve became predictable, allowing Anisimova to step in and dictate return games. Cincinnati’s humid conditions also appeared to affect Eala’s movement, especially during long exchanges.
Despite saving multiple break points with gutsy baseline play, Eala was broken late in the set and fell 6–4.
A Valuable Step Toward the US Open
Though the loss stings, Eala’s Cincinnati run showcased her continued evolution. Her ability to adjust mid‑match, extend rallies, and stay composed under pressure — combined with her rising ranking — signals a strong trajectory heading into the US Open. —
