Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala made a commanding start to her 2026 US Open campaign after overpowering American qualifier Mary Stoiana in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, in the opening round at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.
Eala wasted no time asserting her dominance, breaking Stoiana early in the opening set and dictating the pace from the baseline.
She cruised to a one-sided 6-1 first-set victory before carrying her momentum into the second set, where she wrapped up the match with another convincing 6-2 win.
The emphatic victory sends the 21-year-old Filipina into the second round of the year’s final Grand Slam tournament, marking another strong performance on one of tennis’ biggest stages.
Fresh off her opening-round triumph, Eala was back on the practice court as she gears up for a tough second-round clash against Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova, currently ranked No. 46 in the WTA rankings.
The matchup will also serve as a chance for redemption for Eala.
Oliynykova defeated the Filipina in a three-set battle, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, during the first round of the Internationaux de Strasbourg Open last May.
Eala now looks to turn the tables and continue her impressive run at the US Open.
(Photo Courtesy: WTA)
