Alex Eala continued her run at the 2026 National Bank Open, overcoming both an ankle scare and a determined Caty McNally to reach the Round of 16 in Toronto.
The 25th-seeded Filipina battled past the American, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, in a gruelling three-set encounter that lasted nearly 2 hours and 40 minutes at Sobeys Stadium on Saturday morning.
Alex Eala Takes First Set, Ankle Scare Shifts Momentum
Eala looked poised for a straightforward victory after falling behind 3-1 in the opening set. The World No. 20 settled into longer rallies, dictated the pace, and reeled off five straight games to close the set, 6-3.
The match shifted in the second when Eala began feeling discomfort in her right ankle. Leading 3-2, she required a medical timeout to have her ankle taped. Her movement was visibly restricted afterward, giving McNally the opening she needed to surge ahead, 4-3.
Eala briefly regained control at 5-4 and had a chance to serve out the match, but a string of errors proved costly. McNally broke in the 12th game to steal the set, 7-5, and force a decider.
Alex Eala Finds Another Gear
Rather than letting the setback unravel her, Eala regrouped immediately in the third. She broke McNally in the opening game and quickly built a 2-0 lead. Holding firm through the middle stages, she moved within one game of victory at 5-3.
McNally held serve to narrow the gap to 5-4, but Eala remained composed. Two wayward forehands from the American sealed the match, handing Eala the decisive points she needed.
Belinda Bencic Awaits in Round of 16
The victory extended Eala’s winning streak to seven matches and added another milestone to her breakout 2026 campaign. The Rafa Nadal Academy graduate is now on a two-match roll in Toronto, having defeated Alycia Parks and McNally.
Next up is Swiss star Belinda Bencic, who also survived a three-set battle, edging American Taylor Townsend, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-4.
Eala’s title hopes remain alive as she chases her second WTA crown and her first at the WTA 1000 level, just days after capturing her maiden WTA 500 championship in Washington.
Alex Eala Next Match
2026 National Bank Open
Main Draw — Round of 16 — Singles
Alex Eala vs. Belinda Bencic
August 10, Monday — (Time to be determined)
