Eala's Cincinnati Run Ends in Three-Set Thriller
Alex Eala's bid for another top-10 victory fell short on Monday, as world No. 10 Amanda Anisimova rallied past the Filipino, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, to reach the Round of 16 of the Cincinnati Open in Mason, Ohio. The loss ended Eala's run in the tournament and denied her a 10th career victory over a top-10 opponent, according to ESPN.
Eala, 21, had recorded seven of her nine top-10 wins this season, but she could not close out Anisimova in their first meeting on the WTA Tour. Anisimova paid tribute to Eala after winning the final six games of the match.
"I know Alex is such a great player and such a fighter," Anisimova said, as reported by ESPN. "I knew it was gonna be a really tough match. There was quite a bit of support for me tonight so I really appreciate that, because I know how loved Alex is... and for good reason. But I really appreciated it because I felt like I needed a pick me up in this match."
The match featured a marathon fifth game that lasted 20 minutes and 11 seconds with 13 deuces. Anisimova had eight break-point opportunities in that game, but Eala repeatedly fended off the pressure to lead 3-2. Anisimova broke through in the seventh game, breaking Eala at love to lead 4-3, but Eala responded with a three-game surge to take the first set.
In the second set, Anisimova claimed the first break to go up 4-3 and consolidated to win 6-4. The third set saw Eala lead 2-0 before Anisimova won the next five games to take the set 6-2.
Eala Shifts Focus to US Open
After her exit in Cincinnati, Eala is set to compete at the US Open in Flushing Meadows. She will be in the main draw of the women's tournament and will also enter the mixed doubles as a wildcard pairing with men's world No. 4 Felix Auger-Aliassime, according to Heavy. It will be the first time the two play together.
The mixed doubles field is stacked with star pairings, headlined by Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka, who are the top-ranked mixed duo. Other direct entrant pairings include Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina, Daniil Medvedev and Diana Shnaider, Casper Ruud and Iga Swiatek, Flavio Cobolli and Belinda Bencic, and Learner Tien and Amanda Anisimova, as reported by Heavy.
Wild card pairings alongside Eala and Auger-Aliassime include Frances Tiafoe and Leylah Fernandez, Alexander Zverev and Taylor Townsend, Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina, and Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani. Three more wild card pairings are set to be announced, and two teams from qualifying will complete the draw, according to Heavy.
Eala is having a breakout year, winning her first career WTA title at the Mubadala DC Open earlier this month. She is also scheduled to participate in the Stars of the Open exhibition event during Fan Week.
Auger-Aliassime, meanwhile, won his second consecutive Open Occitanie in February and reached the quarterfinal of the French Open and Wimbledon. Speaking on the Tennis Channel after beating Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the Round of 32 of the Cincinnati Open, he discussed the upcoming partnership with Eala.
"Same agency, and then I think, the people in our teams kind of talked and made that happen," Auger-Aliassime said, as reported by Heavy. "It's a great opportunity 'cause, obviously, I didn't play last year, this time around, to kind of feel what it's like to have the Eala effect and fanbase behind me."
He added, "It's going to be funny because she's younger than me, but I feel like I'm the one that's..."
Eala and Auger-Aliassime are scheduled to play on August 25 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
Perspectives
ESPN's coverage focuses on Eala's narrow loss and her resilience in a tightly contested match, highlighting the marathon fifth game and her inability to close out Anisimova. The narrative emphasizes the competitive nature of the match and Anisimova's post-match tribute to Eala's skill and popularity.
Heavy's coverage pivots quickly from the Cincinnati exit to Eala's upcoming US Open campaign, framing the mixed doubles partnership with Auger-Aliassime as a promotional opportunity. The piece highlights Eala's "breakout year" and "Eala effect," with Auger-Aliassime crediting her rising fanbase for the pairing, and focuses on the star-studded field rather than the loss itself.