Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts during a match against Amanda Anisimova of the United States on day seven of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 17, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP

Alex Eala doesn’t have much time to figure out what went wrong in the Cincinnati Masters.

In less than a week, whatever adjustments she will make to her game will be severely tested at the crown jewel of the North American hardcourt swing—the US Open at the Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York.

The 17th-seeded Eala lost to US ninth seed Amanda Anisimova, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the Cincinnati Masters, a 1000 event that tennis pros generally use to build momentum for the year’s final Grand Slam event.

The match featured a 20-minute fifth game in the opening set, and Anisimova finished strong in the deciding frame to advance to the fourth round.

“Alex is such a great player and such a fighter, so I knew it was really going to be a tough match,” said Anisimova, who closed out Eala by winning 16 of the last 19 points of the match.

“I’m really proud of this performance for being able to find a way and kind of push myself there in the middle of the match,” she added. “I’m really happy with the way I was able to find my tennis and start fighting. It was a really, really tough match and credit to her, she was really playing some great tennis.”

Eala, though, has said that momentum carried from a strong result in Cincinnati doesn’t automatically translate into US Open success. And even if the Filipino star made a deep run in Cincinnati, she still would need to prepare hard for the US Open.

“I mean, momentum exists. Momentum is a thing,” the world No. 20 said on the eve of her duel against Anisimova. “But it’s not concrete and it doesn’t give you hundred percent answers, right? So momentum can help.”

“A lot of matches can help with your confidence, but it doesn’t guarantee anything.”

Aside from competing in singles, Eala will also see action in what is shaping up to be a star-sprinkled mixed doubles event.

Eala will team up with Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime in a competition that will see world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka teaming up with 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic.

Other pairings include world No. 2 Elena Rybakina and world No. 9 Taylor Fritz, world No. 3 Alexander Zverev and Taylor Townsend, world No. 5 Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori, and world No. 9 Elina Svitolina and French husband Gael Monfils.

Even after exiting just two bouts into the Cincinnati Masters, Eala has had a strong showing in the last month or so to carry into the US Open.

She had notable victories at Wimbledon, beating Swiatek at center court. She also earned her first WTA title at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, beating a string of decorated opponents to carve the career milestone. She also made a strong run in Toronto, during the National Bank Open before flying to Cincinnati.

“It’s very, very difficult to pick [a highlight moment],” she said of that brilliant stretch.

“I mean, it would have to be between Wimbledon and Washington, of course. I think playing on center court and winning in such fashion against the great players is something I’ll never forget. It was my first win on center, so crazy, crazy, crazy experience.”

“Of course, everyone says you’ll never forget your first title. They’re kind of like my two babies,” Eala added.

And it’s not difficult to imagine Eala will be a hit again at the Flushing Meadows, considering the strong Filipino community in Queens. After all, it is clear now that Eala is the WTA’s big ticket, packing venues and forcing organizers to schedule her on bigger courts to accommodate her loyal following.

But Eala said that status hasn’t stopped her from staying grounded—nor has it put pressure on her.

“It’s a crazy experience, you know, so I’m just trying to take it all in,” she said of her growing popularity. “I know also that I wouldn’t be having these experiences if I didn’t do all the work that I did beforehand. So I know that I won’t continue to experience it if I don’t continue that work.”

“I think it has really helped me develop as a person and just see things from a different perspective. It has allowed me to mature a lot. It has taught me a lot of lessons, but also given me so much joy.” INQ