Alex Eala faces Amanda Anisimova for first time as Cincinnati Open run continues in Round of 32

In just 17 months, Alex Eala has already racked up nine wins over Top 10 players, a remarkable run that has propelled her to a career-high No. 20 in the WTA rankings.

On Monday night (Tuesday morning in the Philippines), the 21-year-old Filipina star will look to add another name to that growing list when she faces world No. 10 Amanda Anisimova in a heavyweight Round of 32 clash at the Cincinnati Open.

Eala and Anisimova will face each other for the first time in their careers.

The Philippine ace earned a first-round bye before dominating the rain-delayed Round of 64, as Elena-Gabriela Ruse retired late in the second set due to an apparent injury, handing Eala a 6-1, 3-0 victory.

Anisimova, the ninth-seeded player in Cincinnati, likewise had a breezy victory in the previous round after pulling off a 6-2, 6-3 victory against Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey to arrange a maiden encounter with Eala.

Against the American star, Eala is seeking her 10th win over a Top 10 player.

Eala started that list during her stellar run in the 2025 Miami Open, where she bested Madison Keys in the third round and Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals. Eala then stunned Jasmine Paolini in the 2026 Dubai Tennis Championship before she eked out a 6-2, 2-0 win against Coco Gauff in the 2026 Indian Wells Open.

At the 2026 Berlin Tennis Open, Eala stunned Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina before dethroning Swiatek in the third round of Wimbledon this year. Eala made another historic run, beating Svitolina again then ousting Jessica Pegula to rule the recent Mubadala DC Open.

READ MORE | Alex Eala's biggest upsets: Her wins over the world's Top 10 Players

—JKC, GMA News