Joselito Malig

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 07: Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot to Caty McNally of the United States during day six of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium on August 07, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario.   Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by MATTHEW STOCKMAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

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WTA 1000 National Bank Open Presented by Rogers 2026 - Day 6

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786809679622yRogers2026D.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP/file photo </div>(2nd UPDATE) Filipina tennis star Alex Eala was in full control of her Cincinnati Open second-round match against Romania&#x27;s Elena-Gabriela Ruse, 6-1 3-0, before play was suspended and Ruse retired due to medical reason.Eala came out aggressively from the start. After Ruse dropped a 30-0 lead—including a double fault at 15-30—Eala ripped a forehand winner to earn a break point and level at 1-1. She then held comfortably with ultra-aggressive ball striking to move ahead, 2-1.The sweltering humidity sitting at 80 percent did nothing to slow Eala down. She attacked Ruse’s second serve from about two feet inside the baseline, ripping forehand return winners to break for 3-1. She continued to pull away to 4-1, then 5-1, hitting with confidence, precision, and rhythm.Eala closed out the first set 6-1, winning five consecutive games.The second set followed the same pattern as Eala jumped to a 3-0 lead before the match was suspended for safety due to lightning.Ruse, who asked for a medical break before the match was suspended, later retired from the match, handing Eala a walkover win.The 28-year-old Romanian, ranked world No. 74, had no answers for Eala’s pace and precision throughout the opener.Eala will next face Amanda Anisimova, who beat Zeynep Sonmez, 6-2, 6-3

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala was in full control of her Cincinnati Open second-round match against Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse, 6-1 3-0, before play was suspended and Ruse retired due to medical reason.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala was in full control of her Cincinnati Open second-round match against Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse, 6-1 3-0, before play was suspended and Ruse retired due to medical reason.

Alex Eala dominates Ruse, advances in Cincinnati Open

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Alex Eala dominates Ruse, advances in Cincinnati Open

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 16, 2026 12:26 AM PHT

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Updated August 16, 2026 12:17 PM PHT

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Alex Eala

Cincinatti Open

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