Alex Eala reaches US Open third round after defeating Oliynykova

Alex Eala, the 17th seed from the Philippines, has advanced to the third round of the 2026 US Open following a dominant 6-1, 6-4 victory over Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova. This win serves as redemption for Eala, who previously lost to Oliynykova at the Strasbourg Open in May.

Eala’s campaign began with a straight-sets sweep of American qualifier Mary Stoiana, 6-1, 6-2. Throughout the tournament, the 21-year-old has drawn significant support from Filipino fans in New York, with many attending her matches and even practice sessions.

Following her victory, Eala is slated to face either Iva Jovic or Francesca Jones in the third round. Beyond her on-court performance, Eala is seeing rapid commercial growth, with projections suggesting she could become one of the world’s highest-paid female athletes by 2027 due to her expanding endorsement portfolio.