MANILA — Alexandra Eala returns to the US Open no longer merely as a rising prospect but as a Top 20 player and proven giant-killer, armed with nine career victories over Top 10 opponents and a season that has established her among women’s tennis’ emerging elite.
The 21-year-old Filipina enters Flushing Meadows seeded No. 17 after climbing to a career-high world No. 18 earlier this week, a dramatic rise from the No. 75 ranking she carried into the tournament just a year ago.
Eala credited her rapid ascent to the experience of regularly competing against — and beating — some of the biggest names in the sport.
“I think I’ve experienced so much growth in the past year and so many milestones in my career,” Eala said during her pre-tournament press conference. “I think there’s so many lessons. I’ve gotten to work closely with so many amazing tennis players.”
Her results have reflected that growth.
Eala defeated Coco Gauff at Indian Wells before scoring victories over Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina during her run in Berlin. She later stunned Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon, further establishing her ability to challenge the world’s best.
Her breakthrough season reached another high at the Mubadala DC Open, where she defeated Svitolina in the quarterfinals before taking down Jessica Pegula in the championship match to capture her first WTA 500 title.
Those victories have pushed Eala’s career tally against Top 10 opponents to nine since her breakthrough run at the 2025 Miami Open.
For Eala, repeatedly sharing the court with the sport’s elite has provided lessons extending beyond match results.
“I’ve gotten to experience more of their work ethic, obviously being in this environment a lot more. And I’ve gotten to compete against the best of the best a lot more frequently,” she said.
Her return to New York also comes a year after she made Philippine tennis history at the same tournament.
Ranked No. 75 at the time, Eala rallied past Clara Tauson in a dramatic three-set opening-round battle to become the first Filipina in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles match.
The packed stands and pressure of that breakthrough victory have since become part of the experience Eala believes has prepared her for bigger matches.
“I think that I’m lucky enough to have experienced so many matches such as that one in the US Open last year where the court was packed and the atmosphere was amazing against very formidable opponents,” she said.
Eala opens her 2026 campaign against American qualifier Mary Stoiana, ranked No. 122 in the world.
This time, however, the Filipina arrives in New York carrying a vastly different profile — a seeded Top 20 contender with a WTA 500 championship, a growing collection of victories over the sport’s biggest stars and considerably greater expectations than 12 months ago./PN
