EXTENDING her win streak to seven, Alex Eala barged into the round of 16 of the 2026 National Bank Open after dispatching USA’s Caty McNally, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, on Saturday morning (Manila time).
In her second straight three-set match in Toronto, Eala powered through an injury scare in the second set before taking control in the decider and holding on until match point. The match lasted two hours and 38 minutes.
After handily taking the first frame, momentum shifted in the second set when Eala slightly rolled her right ankle while saving a point at 2-1. She still won the game before taking a medical timeout, then returning to the court to continue the match.
McNally eventually pulled ahead, 5-4, and closed out the set, 7-5, to force Set 3.
There, Eala quickly regained control, building a 5-3 lead before McNally cut the deficit to 5-4. The Filipina held firm in the next game to seal the 6-4 decider and book her spot in the next round.
Alex pushed to the limit anew
The world No. 20 had to grind through another American opponent after opening her campaign with a first-round bye as the tournament’s 25th seed.
Eala then outlasted Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, in the round of 64 to set up her clash with McNally.
She will next face Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic for a spot in the quarterfinals.
This marks the pride of the Philippines' fourth appearance of 2026 in the round of 16 of a WTA 1000 event, the highest tier below Grand Slams.
Eala keeps her title dream alive, as she chases her second WTA crown and first at the 1000 level, just days after clinching her maiden WTA 500 title at the Mubadala DC Open.
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