Alex Eala advanced to the third round of the 2026 US Open campaign After defeating Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova, 6‑1, 6‑4, at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Friday morning.
The 17th‑seeded Filipina produced another composed performance to reach the third round of the tournament for the first time in her career. The victory also gave Eala a measure of revenge against Oliynykova, who defeated her in three sets in their first meeting at the WTA 500 Internationaux de Strasbourg last May.
This time, however, Eala never allowed the Ukrainian to complete another comeback.
Alex Eala Dominates the Opening Set
Eala immediately established control, winning the first eight points of the match to race to a 2‑0 advantage. She continued dictating the rallies with powerful groundstrokes and soon extended her lead to 4‑0.
Oliynykova managed to respond by breaking Eala’s serve in the fifth game, finally getting herself on the scoreboard. The setback proved temporary, as Eala immediately broke back before holding serve to love and closing out the opening set, 6‑1, in only 23 minutes.
The Filipina’s dominance was reflected in the numbers. Eala finished with 19 winners compared to just six from Oliynykova, while winning 59 of the 94 points played. She also converted five of seven break‑point opportunities.
Oliynykova Pushes Back But Falls Short
The second set presented a much tougher challenge for Eala. Oliynykova settled into her game and used looping shots and slices to disrupt the Filipina’s rhythm.
After taking an early 2‑1 lead, the Ukrainian continued to put pressure on Eala. The Filipina responded with a love hold before eventually finding a breakthrough to take a 3‑2 advantage.
Oliynykova immediately fought back with a break of her own to level the score at 3‑3, setting up a tense finish.
Eala, however, remained patient and composed. She secured another break to move ahead, 4‑3, before holding serve to love and moving within a game of victory.
The Ukrainian extended the match by holding serve for 4‑5, but Eala stayed calm when serving for the match. Two match points came her way after an errant forehand from Oliynykova, and a poor return from the Ukrainian allowed Eala to finish the contest in one hour and four minutes.
Alex Eala Reflects on Her Performance
After the match, Eala credited her ability to remain focused and patient despite Oliynykova’s attempts to change the rhythm of the contest.
“I think my patience and the consistency of my focus, I think that was the key to winning the match today,” Eala said.
The victory also allowed Eala to surpass her previous US Open showing, when she reached the second round in 2025. She now has a chance to match her best Grand Slam result after reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon earlier this year.
A Familiar Face Could Await in the Third Round
After defeating Mary Stoiana and Oleksandra Oliynykova, the Rafa Nadal Academy graduate will now await the winner of the match between 14th seed Iva Jovic and British qualifier Francesca Jones to determine her third‑round opponent.
Jovic would provide a particularly intriguing matchup, as she and Alex Eala are close friends and have already faced each other twice, with the American winning both encounters in straight sets. Jovic was also Eala’s opponent at the exhibition match in the US Open a few days ago.
Alex Eala Next Match
- Tournament: US Open
- Event: Singles – Third Round
- Match: Alex Eala vs. Iva Jovic or Francesca Jones
- Date: September 5 (Saturday)
- Time: TBD (To be determined)
