Eala Opens US Open Campaign With Straight-Sets Win Over Stoiana
NEW YORK — Alex Eala, the 21-year-old Filipino sensation, opened her 2026 US Open campaign on Tuesday night with a commanding straight-sets victory over American qualifier Mary Stoiana at Louis Armstrong Stadium. The No. 18 seed, who entered the tournament as one of the most anticipated players in the women's draw, did not disappoint the raucous, flag-waving crowd that packed the 14,053-seat arena.
Eala, who hails from Quezon City, Philippines, won 6-3, 6-2 in a match that highlighted her aggressive baseline game and the composure that has marked her rapid rise. The victory extended her winning streak in Grand Slam first rounds to five and set up a second-round meeting with either Belinda Bencic or Amanda Anisimova — both of whom have beaten her in recent months.
"I think at the forefront of everything is gratitude," Eala told reporters after the match. "I'm very grateful for the support that my fans give me and that my supporters give me." The sentiment was echoed by the thousands of Filipino fans who chanted her name throughout the evening, turning Armstrong into what felt like a home match.
The match had been one of the most sought-after tickets of the first round, with resale prices doubling to nearly $400 after the schedule was announced. Eala was the heavy favorite at -465, and she justified that billing with a display of power and precision that gave Stoiana, ranked 122nd, little chance.
A Season of Breakthroughs
Eala's 2026 season has been nothing short of transformative. She entered the year ranked 25th, but a series of deep runs has pushed her to a career-high No. 18. In July, she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, her best Grand Slam result to date, before capturing her first tour-level title at the DC Open in August. That final, played in Washington, D.C., saw her defeat three Grand Slam champions in Naomi Osaka, Elina Svitolina, and Jessica Pegula.
Her success has made her the Philippines' biggest sports star since Manny Pacquiao. The country's president hosted a reception in her honor and called for a national celebration after her DC Open win. Forbes estimates her off-court earnings for the past 12 months exceed $5 million, with an additional $1.7 million in prize money, and her agent predicts she will become the world's second-highest-paid female athlete by 2027.
"This has been the year of Alex Eala," noted a recent Guardian profile, underscoring her crossover appeal. She has practiced with Naomi Osaka and Carlos Alcaraz, played mixed doubles alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime, and joined Serena Williams and Anna Wintour at an event honoring Roger Federer. Her highlight reel from the Stars of the Open exhibition drew one million views in less than 24 hours.
More Than a Tennis Star
But Eala's impact extends well beyond her results on court. Her breakthrough at the 2022 US Open, where she won the girls' singles title — the first Grand Slam title for the Philippines — sparked a nationwide embrace of tennis. At the Canadian Open in Toronto earlier this month, home to a large Filipino diaspora, she drew sold-out crowds of more than 10,000 for her night matches, and local vendors added chicken adobo and lumpia to their menus.
"At first, it took me quite aback because I couldn't understand how [Filipinos] could feel so deeply or so passionately towards the work that I do," Eala admitted in a Vogue interview. "It was hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I was famous."
Her journey from the crushed-shell courts of Quezon City to the grand stages of professional tennis is a testament to her late grandfather Roberto, who introduced her to the sport at age three and coached her for over a decade. His original goal was modest: to help Eala and her brother secure US college scholarships. Instead, he launched a career that has made his granddaughter a national icon.
A Changing Landscape for Women's Tennis
Eala's rise is part of a broader shift in women's tennis, where young players from non-traditional markets are breaking through and capturing global attention. Her success — combined with the emergence of other newcomers — is expanding the sport's geographic footprint and fan base.
Eala's appeal is not limited to Filipinos. Her fashion-forward presence has drawn attention from outlets like Vogue, and her marketability is on par with established stars. As she progresses deeper into the US Open, her matches are becoming appointment viewing — not just for tennis fans, but for a broader audience that has been captivated by her story.
The US Open has already been dubbed "the Alex Eala Open" by some commentators, and her second-round match will likely draw another sell-out crowd. For Eala, the journey is just beginning. "Every major milestone I achieve, he [my grandfather] is in my heart," she said, reflecting on her late mentor. With each win, she carries his legacy forward — and inspires a new generation of Filipino athletes to dream big.
As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on Eala to see if she can add a first Grand Slam title to her breakthrough season.
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