Alex Eala set for first-ever clash against Amanda Anisimova in Cincinnati Open

Alexandra “Alex” Eala is facing another tough challenge at the Cincinnati Open as she prepares for her first-ever clash with Amanda Anisimova, adding another marquee name to her growing list of high-profile opponents.

Eala is coming off a Round of 64 win in the WTA1000 event, dominating Elena-Gabriela Ruse all throughout the match before the Romanian bet retired due to an apparent injury, handing the Filipina a 6-1, 3-0 victory on Saturday.

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The win set up a showdown between the Filipina star and world No. 10 Anisimova, the ninth seed in Cincinnati, who opened her campaign with a rousing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Eala’s good friend, Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey.

Eala and Anisimova will battle it out in the Round of 32, where the winner faces either reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova or 27th-seeded Clara Tauson in the fourth round.

The impending matchup marks another significant milestone in Eala’s career, giving her another opportunity to test herself against a Top 10 player.

As of posting, Anisimova will become the eighth player from the current WTA Top 10 to face Eala, joining Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Karolina Muchova, Elina Svitolina, and Linda Noskova.

Alex Eala's Season recap (singles)

North American swing

• Canadian Open — Round of 16
• DC Open — Champion

Grass-court swing

• Wimbledon (Grand Slam) — Round of 16
• Bad Homburg Open (WTA 500) — Round of 32
• Berlin Tennis Open (WTA 500) — Semifinals
• HSBC Championships (WTA 500) — Round of 16
• Birmingham Open (WTA 125) — Champion

Clay-court swing

• French Open (Grand Slam) — Round of 128
• Italian Open (WTA 1000) — Round of 32
• Madrid Open (WTA 1000) — Round of 64
• Stuttgart Open (WTA 500) — Round of 32
• Linz Open (WTA 500) — Round of 16

Sunshine Swing

• Miami Open (WTA 1000) — Round of 16
• Indian Wells Open (WTA 1000) — Round of 16

Middle East Swing

• Dubai Tennis Championships (WTA 1000) — Quarterfinals
• Qatar Open (WTA 1000) — Round of 64
• Abu Dhabi Open (WTA 500) — Quarterfinals

Philippine Women’s Open (WTA 125) — Quarterfinals

Australian Swing

• Australian Open (Grand Slam) — Round of 128
• ASB Classic (WTA 250) — Semifinals

—JKC, GMA News