Alex Eala keeps celebration going with Filipino fans in Toronto

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates her win against Alycia Parks of the United States during day four of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP 

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala extended her title celebration from ruling the Mubadala DC Open in Washington to giving Filipino fans in Toronto a thrilling three-set victory to kick off her Canadian Open campaign.

Just days removed from winning her first WTA Tour title, Eala carried the momentum and fended off American Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, to the delight of a Filipino-dominated crowd at center court on Thursday morning (Philippine time).

READ: Alex Eala, Filipino fans make rare Monday final one to remember

The first thing the Filipino tennis ace did after the grueling showdown was acknowledge her fellow Filipinos, who cheered her on throughout the match despite being reminded by the chair umpire several times to keep the noise down.

“Kamusta tayo ngayon, Toronto? I-wagayway niyo nga yung mga bandila niyo at patingin (How are you today, Toronto? Show me waving your flags). There are so many Filipinos in the crowd tonight, so many flags. Thank you!” said Eala shortly after the win.

Philippines’ Alexandra Eala celebrates after defeating United States’ Alycia Parks in National Bank Open tennis action in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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The 21-year-old expressed her gratitude to Filipinos in the stands and those following her matches from the Philippines despite the time difference.

“I am eternally grateful. I mean I just came off Washington so I really feel like this is a celebration,” she said.

“Alam niyo kababayan, linggo-linggo ko kayo nakikita, sinusuportahan ako, linggo-linggo ko nakikita kung gaano niyo kamahal ang kapwa niyong Pinoy. Kaya proud na proud ako maging Pinoy. Maraming salamat. Mahal ko kayong lahat.”

(I see you guys every week; I also see it every week how you love your fellow Filipinos. That’s what I’m so proud to be a Filipino. Thank you. I love you all.)

“Thank you to everyone who is supporting tennis and creating atmospheres like this. It’s really the pleasure of my life to experience these things.”

Eala, now World No. 20, has been playing the best tennis of her career, reaching the Wimbledon Round of 16 before capturing her first WTA 500 title in Washington with a victory over World No. 3 Jessica Pegula.

The No. 25 seed, who received a first-round bye, next faces another American, Caty McNally, in the round of 32.

Eala will also compete in doubles, reuniting with Venus Williams as a wild-card pair. They face Liudmila Samsonova and Miyu Kato in the round of 32 on Friday.