Looming thunderstorm leads to Eala-Ruse Cincinnati Open match suspension

MANILA, Philippines -- Alex Eala’s match with Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the Cincinnati Open was suspended early Sunday morning (Manila time) due to a lightning and thunderstorm warning. 

Eala was leading in the second set, 3-0, and was serving when the suspension of play was announced. 

JUST IN: Match suspended in WTA1000 Cincinnati Open Round 2 with Alex Eala holding a 6-1, 3-0 lead.

Eala putting on a methodical clinic so far but lightning, thunderstorm warning and cloudy weather prompted organizers to halt play for safety. @PhilippineStar @StarSportsHub

— John Bryan Ulanday (@bryanulanday) August 15, 2026

The Filipina dropped the first game of the match but went on to win the next nine games as she is simply manhandling the Romanian. 

Ruse already asked for a medical timeout to have her ankle taped up prior to the suspension of play. 

Eala is eyeing to exact a long-awaited revenge against Ruse, who defeated the Filipina back in the 2024 US Open Qualifiers. 

The winner of the match will take on either Zeynep Sonmez or Amanda Anisimova in the Round of 32 of the WTA 1000 tourney.