Alex Eala's next match: Filipina ace faces Belinda Bencic in Canadian Open Round of 16

Alexandra “Alex” Eala faces another tough test at the Canadian Open as she takes on Tokyo Olympics gold medalist and current world No. 14 Belinda Bencic.

The 29-year-old Swiss star, who reached a career-high world No. 4 ranking in 2020, advanced to the Round of 16 after besting Taylor Townsend, 6(5)-7, 7-6(4), 6-4, in the Round of 32.

Eala, meanwhile, shook off an ankle issue to defeat Caty McNally, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, and book her spot in the fourth round.

The match will mark the first meeting between Eala and Bencic.

Bencic won the women’s singles gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She has also reached the semifinals of the US Open in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2025, while advancing to the fourth round of the Australian Open three times—in 2016, 2023, and 2025—as well as the recent French Open.

Eala, meanwhile, enters the matchup on a seven-match winning streak. The streak began with her opening-round victory over Zheng Qinwen at the DC Open, where she went on to capture her first WTA title.

—JKC, GMA News