Alex Eala falls to Anisimova, bows out of Cincinnati Open

CEBU, Philippines — Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala crashed out of the WTA Cincinnati Open 2026 after losing to world No.10 Amanda Anisimova of the United States in three sets in the third round on Tuesday, August 18 (Philippine time) at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.

Eala, making her debut in Cincinnati, took the first set 6-4 that featured a 20-minute fifth game.

The ninth seed American battled back in the second set 6-4 before finishing off Eala in the decider 6-2.

The 21-year-old Eala looked headed to another upset when she won the first two games of the rubber match.

But she went flat thereafter, with Anisimova racking up six straight points to eliminate Eala.

Anisimova, a four-time WTA champion, next faces reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova of Czech Republic for a place in the quarterfinals.

Noskova advanced after ousting Clara Tauson of Denmark 7-6 (7/3), 6-2.

Meanwhile, the world No.20 Eala will most likely compete at the Monterrey Open before seeing action in the US Open from August 23 to September 13 in New York, her final Grand Slam of the season.