TORONTO, ONTARIO — Alexandra “Alex” Eala’s breakout summer continues to explode in popularity across the WTA Tour, turning every stop into a must-see event.
The 21-year-old Filipina star outlasted American Caty McNally, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, in a tense three-set battle at the National Bank Open in Toronto. The win stretched her winning streak to seven matches and secured her a place in the Round of 16 of the WTA 1000 event.
"I think I survived that one, it was so tough. I want to thank Caty (McNally) for a great match. It's one of those matches that could have gone either way, it was down to details and a little bit of luck," Eala said.
What’s quickly becoming just as notable as her results is the atmosphere she’s creating. Eala’s matches in Toronto have drawn sold-out crowds in one of the tournament’s most expensive ticket runs in recent memory, with premium seats going at a premium as “Eala Mania” takes over the city. The Filipino-Canadian community, in particular, has turned her matches into a sea of red and blue flags, chants, and nonstop energy that has transformed her court into one of the loudest venues of the tournament.
Eala has now extended her flawless North American hard-court record to 7-0. She already made waves earlier in the event with a gritty 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Alycia Parks, avenging an earlier loss and extending her dominant North American hard-court run following her title triumph at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington. In that historic run, she became the first Filipina to win a WTA Tour-level singles title, defeating top seed Jessica Pegula in the final match.
Her run to the DC crown was nothing short of cinematic. To claim the trophy, Eala didn't just win; she carved through an elite gauntlet of tennis royalty. She defeated reigning Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, World No. 10 Elina Svitolina, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka top seed Jessica Pegula (4-6, 6-4, 6-0) in a finals come-from-behind victory delayed across two days by inclement weather
And her giant-killing ways are not limited to hard courts. Last month, Eala brought Centre Court to a standstill at Wimbledon, delivering the biggest win of her fledgling career by stunning former champion and six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek in a stunning third-round upset.
True to form, Eala used her post-match spotlight to share the moment with the roaring, flag-waving contingent of Filipino supporters who packed the stands in Toronto in her first match.
"I am eternally grateful," Eala beamed after the match. "I mean, I just came off Washington, so I really feel like this is a celebration. And you know, my fellow Filipinos, I see you every single week supporting me. Week after week, I witness just how much you love our country and what it means to be Filipino. That's why I'm so, so, so incredibly proud to be a Filipino myself. Thank you so much, my fellow Filipinos. I love you all."
Growing up in a basketball-obsessed nation, Eala carved an entirely different path. Her introduction to the sport came at just four years old through her late grandfather, Roberto Maniego, who trained her daily on a makeshift court, planting the seeds for a world-class career. Her parents, Michael Eala and Rizza Maniego-Eala, have watched her proudly from the stands, from her junior days to hoisting WTA trophies, accompanying her every step of the way.
As Eala presses forward in Toronto, one thing is abundantly clear: her stunning triumphs on the grass of Wimbledon and the hard courts of North America are only the beginning.
