Alex Eala bows to world No. 10 Amanda Anisimova, exits Cincinnati Open

Alex Eala drew first blood but ultimately ran out of gas to absorb a 6-4, 4-6, 2-6 loss to world No. 10 Amanda Anisimova in the Cincinnati Open Round of 32 on Tuesday at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Ohio, USA.

Eala convincingly took the opening set, but Anisimova regained her form in the next two frames to shut the door on the Filipina’s campaign and set up a fourth-round clash against reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.

Eala is now expected to next see action in the US Open.

Eala and Anisimova traded the first four games in Set 1 to reach a 2-2 deadlock before the Filipina survived a grueling fifth game that featured 13 deuces. Two errors from the American eventually handed Eala the break and a 3-2 lead in the opening set.

20 minutes, 11 seconds. ONE game. 🤯

Eala survives a marathon game to take a 3-2 lead.#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/RGRcDgTfzN

— Cincinnati Open (@CincyTennis) August 18, 2026

Anisimova responded by taking the next two games, but Eala quickly regained her rhythm, winning the next three, including a sweep in Game 10 that she capped with a powerful backhand winner to clinch Set 1.

Eala once again built a 3-2 lead in the second set, but Anisimova answered by winning four of the next five games to draw level and drag the Filipina to a deciding set.

Eala came out firing in the decider after unloading back-to-back backhand winners in Game 2 to snatch an early 2-0 lead. But Anisimova’s heavy serves soon proved too much to handle for the Pinay star, with the American sealing the final game with two consecutive return errors from Eala.

Late night battle 🔥

Anisimova outlasts Eala 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 for a spot in the fourth round where she will face Noskova. #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/AaqzkuEafV

— Cincinnati Open (@CincyTennis) August 18, 2026

—JMB, GMA News