Alex Eala sets sights on second-round clash vs. world no. 95 Cristina Bucsa in US Open

A big task at the Big Apple awaits Alex Eala.

The Filipina tennis ace is locked in on the second round of her 2025 US Open journey where she will lock horns with Spanish foe Cristina Bucsa, who stands in the way of her bid for a deeper run in New York.

The 27-year-old Bucsa is fresh off a dominant first-round win over hometown bet Claire Liu of USA, pulling off a masterful 6-2, 6-1 victory on early Tuesday to advance to the second round.

She now tests her mettle against the Filipina ace who, unlike her, had to claw through a hard-fought 6-3, 2-6, 7(13)-6(11) victory over 14th-seeded Clara Tauson of Denmark in her opener yesterday.

Still, Eala carries the momentum with her as she looks to punch a ticket to the third round.

"They weren’t kidding when they said this was the city of dreams," Eala said in a short Instagram post.

"All sights set on second round."

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Alexandra Eala (@alex.eala)

Eala may sit 20 spots above Bucsa in the WTA rankings, but the battle-tested Spanish ace carries a wealth of experience, particularly on the US Open stage as she's now competing in her fifth appearance in the hard-court Grand Slam event.

Bucsa, the daughter of Winter Olympian Ion Bucsa, is also an Olympic medalist after capturing a doubles bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics together with partner Sara Sorribes Tormo.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News