Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala is currently playing some of the best tennis of her career and consistently making headlines globally. Recently, she defeated America’s Caty McNally in a thrilling match during the Round of 32 at the ongoing National Bank Open (Canadian Open) in Toronto, securing her spot in the fourth round (Round of 16).
With this stellar victory, Eala has extended her winning streak to 7 consecutive matches, which is the longest winning streak of her career so far. Her unstoppable run began at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, where she made history by winning her maiden WTA Tour singles title.
Let’s take a detailed look at Alex Eala’s remarkable 7-match winning journey from the DC Open to the Canadian Open.
Mubadala Citi DC Open: The Path to Her First WTA Title
The foundation of Alex Eala’s winning streak was built in Washington, D.C., where she defeated several veteran players and Grand Slam champions to claim her first WTA singles title. Her journey in that tournament unfolded as follows:
- First Win (Round of 32): Eala kicked off her campaign against China’s top player, Qinwen Zheng. After losing the first set, Eala mounted a strong comeback to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
- Second Win (Round of 16): Next, she faced Canada’s star player, Leylah Fernandez, whom Eala defeated in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 7-6(1).
- Third Win (Quarterfinals): In the quarterfinals, Eala easily defeated experienced Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the semifinals.
- Fourth Win (Semifinals): The semifinal match was exceptionally special, as she defeated four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-2 to punch her ticket to the championship match.
- Fifth Win (Finals): In the final, Eala faced top seed Jessica Pegula. Despite dropping the first set 4-6, Eala showed tremendous mental toughness to take the next two sets and win the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, capturing her first WTA title.
Canadian Open: Continuing the Winning Momentum in Toronto
Following her historic triumph at the DC Open, Alex Eala maintained her stellar form in Toronto without skipping a beat:
- Sixth Win (Round of 64): Seeded 25th, Eala received a first-round bye. Starting her campaign in the second round, she maintained her dominance over America’s Alycia Parks, winning the match 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.
- Seventh Win (Round of 32): In her 7th consecutive match, Eala faced fellow American Caty McNally. In a grueling and tightly contested battle lasting 2 hours and 39 minutes, Eala secured a hard-fought victory of 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
Alex Eala’s Post-Match Remarks
Reflecting on her challenging win against Caty McNally, Alex Eala shared during her on-court interview, “I think I kind of survived that match. It was very tough. I want to thank Caty for a great match and great sportsmanship.” She added, “It was one of those matches that could have gone either way. I think it came down to small margins and a bit of luck.”
What’s Next for Alex Eala?
In the Round of 16 of the Canadian Open, Alex Eala will now face 12th seed and former Swiss champion Belinda Bencic. Bencic advanced after a marathon 3-hour and 24-minute battle against Taylor Townsend, winning 6(5)-7, 7-6(4), 6-4.
This will be the first-ever tour-level meeting between Alex Eala and Belinda Bencic on the WTA Tour.
Conclusion
Alex Eala’s 7-match winning run from the DC Open to the Canadian Open is a testament to her athletic skill, fitness, and composure under pressure. By consistently defeating top-tier global opponents, she has proven herself to be one of the most dangerous players in women’s tennis right now. All eyes are now focused on whether Eala can overcome a strong opponent like Bencic and stretch her winning streak to 8 matches.
