MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala returns to the US Open this year carrying higher expectations after making significant strides in the WTA rankings and establishing herself among the world’s top players.
Eala has climbed from No. 75 in 2025 to a career-high No. 18 in the WTA rankings.
Last year, she became the first Filipina in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles main-draw match.
Since then, Eala has captured her first WTA singles title at the Mubadala DC Open, defeating Naomi Osaka and world No. 3 Jessica Pegula during her championship run.
At Wimbledon, Eala reached the fourth round after defeating Iga Swiatek, becoming the first Filipino in the Open Era to advance to that stage of the tournament.
With her recent breakthrough performances, Eala enters this year’s US Open with greater expectations and a growing reputation on the international tennis stage.
