MANILA — Alexandra Eala made an emphatic start to her 2026 US Open campaign, overpowering American qualifier Mary Stoiana, 6-1, 6-2, Tuesday night (Wednesday in the Philippines) at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.
The 17th-seeded Filipina dictated the match from the outset, surrendering only three games to secure a convincing straight-sets victory and advance to the second round of the year’s final Grand Slam.
Eala dominated the numbers, winning 61 total points against Stoiana’s 42 and converting four of eight break-point opportunities while denying the American on all six of her break chances.
The Filipina also imposed herself on serve, landing 63 percent of her first serves and winning 78 percent of those points. She also claimed 56 percent of the points behind her second serve and won eight of her 11 service games.
Neither player recorded an ace, while both committed three double faults.
Eala’s consistency extended to her return game as she collected 23 receiving points to go with 38 service points. Her longest streak during the match was five consecutive games.
“Yeah, of course it was very difficult. You know, every exchange had its own challenges, especially in the start of the second set,” Eala said in a post-game interview.
“I think she put me in uncomfortable positions and she’s been having a great run, coming from quali and good past couple of weeks, so I’m really happy with this match,” she added.
The victory reinforced Eala’s head-to-head advantage over Stoiana after the Filipina also defeated the American, 7-5, 6-2, at a W100 tournament in Landisville, Pennsylvania, in 2024.
Eala will next face Ukraine’s Oleksandra Olinykova, who advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over American Reese Brantmeier.
A victory over Olinykova would send Eala into the third round of the US Open./PN
