Anisimova looks to ‘thrive’ off crowd energy in Alex Eala match

Amanda Anisimova of the United States celebrates match point during a match against Zeynep Sonmez of Turkiye in day five of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 15, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP

MANILA, Philippines — World number 10 Amanda Anisimova is unfazed by Alex Eala’s massive crowd support ahead of their third-round duel at the Cincinnati Open in Ohio.

Despite playing on home turf, the ninth-seed American expects to see a stadium filled with more fans rallying behind the WTA Tour’s hottest draw in Eala.

Anisimova also sees herself thriving in the high-energy atmosphere, which was once described by four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka as “more like a basketball game” than a tennis match.

READ: Alex Eala faces Amanda Anisimova in Cincinnati Open third round

“She has a great fan base. And it looks like an incredible atmosphere every time she steps out to play a match. I’m really, really looking forward to it,” Anisimova said in the post-game show.

“I love a packed stadium and I love a good atmosphere. I’m sure it will be a great match, even though they will probably gonna be rooting more for her end. But I don’t mind it and I’ll try to thrive off of the energy.”

Anisimova and Eala clash late Monday night, with the winner projected to take on Wimbledon champion and sixth seed Linda Noskova in the round of 16.

After booting out Turkiye’s Zeynep Sonmez, 6-2, 6-3, Anisimova heaped praise on the Filipino star, who beat Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the second round.

READ: Alex Eala through to Cincinnati Open third round as Ruse retires

“I haven’t played her (Eala) before. She’s been having such an incredible season, an incredible year. [A] very great player with a lot of fans, so I’m really looking forward to that,” said Anisimova during the post-match interview.

The 24-year-old Anisimova is a four-time WTA Tour titlist, highlighted by a pair of Masters victories in Qatar and China last season. She also finished runner-up in the US Open and Wimbledon last year.

The former World No. 3 reached the quarterfinal of the Australian Open this season and in 2019, became the youngest French Open semifinalist at 17 years old.

Eala is playing her second straight WTA 1000 tournament in her North American swing, following a round-of-16 exit at the Canadian Open and a breakthrough title run in the Mubadala DC Open in Washington.