Full Breakdown
Alex Eala’s US Open Campaign: A Rising Filipino Star Returns to Flushing Meadows
8/29/2026, 9:01:26 PM
Core Event – First-Round Matchup and Tournament Outlook
World No. 18 Alex Eala returns to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center as the 17th seed in the women’s singles draw. Her opening-round opponent is American qualifier Mary Stoiana, ranked No. 122, who earned her spot by winning three qualifying matches, including a 6-3 4-6 6-4 victory over Yuan Yue. Eala previously beat Stoiana 7-5 6-2 at a 2024 ITF W100 event in Pennsylvania. The tournament begins on August 30 and runs through mid-September.
Background & Context
Eala’s rise accelerated after winning the 2022 US Open junior title, the first Filipino Grand Slam champion at any level. In 2025 she captured her first WTA Tour singles title at the Mubadala DC Open, defeating Jessica Pegula, and later reached the fourth round of Wimbledon, a first for a Filipino in the Open Era.
Data & Statistics
- Current WTA ranking: No. 18 (career-high).
- Seed at the US Open: 17th.
- First-round opponent: Mary Stoiana, world No. 122, former ITA National Player of the Year (2024).
- Attendance at last year’s US Open match: over 8,000 spectators, many with Filipino flags.
- Recent titles: Mubadala DC Open (WTA 500); quarterfinals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai; fourth-round Wimbledon 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
Eala said, “At the forefront of everything is gratitude: I’m very grateful for the support that my fans give me.” She added, “I know also that I wouldn’t be having these experiences if I didn’t do all the work that I did beforehand.”
Max Eisenbud of WME Sports/IMG Tennis projected that Eala’s earnings could place her among the world’s highest-paid female athletes by 2027.
On-the-Ground Reports
Fans at Flushing Meadows last year packed the Grandstand, waving Filipino flags as Eala rallied from 5-1 down in the third set to defeat 14th-ranked Clara Tauson. The “Stars of the Open” exhibition on August 27 featured a light-hearted match against close friend Iva Jovic, with both players’ fathers joining for a mixed-doubles rally.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The tournament’s official court assignment and start time for Eala’s first-round match have not been released, leaving the exact schedule uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The crowd is going to be wild for her,” — Patrick McEnroe, ESPN
- “Every time I play abroad, I carry the Philippines with me,” — Alex Eala
What’s Next
If Eala advances, she will face the winner of the Oleksandra Oliynykova vs. Reese Brantmeier second-round match. A third-round clash with 14th-seed Iva Jovic is possible, followed by a potential fourth-round encounter with fourth-seed Coco Gauff. Success in New York could further elevate her endorsement profile and solidify her status as a leading figure in Southeast Asian tennis.
