Southeast Asian pride dominates with a resounding victory on US Open opening day

The seventeenth seed, Alexandra Eala, needed only 77 minutes to beat Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2, thus booking her spot in the US Open second round for the second year running.

Alexandra Eala continues to affirm her status as the number one tennis player in Southeast Asia. The Filipino player advanced past the first round of the 2026 US Open with a convincing win over local representative Mary Stoiana.

Playing in front of a packed crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium, Eala faced two break points in the opening game. The seventeenth seed calmly saved them before quickly taking control of the match.

Eala won five straight games to take a 5-0 lead. Stoiana, a qualifier making her first Grand Slam main-draw appearance, avoided a whitewash by holding her third service game, ending the opening set 6-1.

Difficulties resurfaced in the early games of the second set. Stoiana created break points in both of Eala's first two service games but again failed to convert them.

After weathering the storm, the seventeenth seed broke serve to take a 3-2 lead. From there, Eala completely dominated, winning four consecutive games to close out the second set 6-2.

The ability to capitalize on opportunities became the biggest difference between the two players. Stoiana failed to convert any of her six break points, while Eala converted four of her eight break chances on her opponent's serve.

The victory, achieved in 1 hour and 17 minutes, helped Eala reach the second round of the US Open for the second year in a row. It was also the latest step in a remarkable season for the Filipino player.

Eala is maintaining a high level of performance during the North American hard-court swing. She recently won the title in Washington D.C. and has won nine of her last 11 hard-court matches since Wimbledon.

Earlier, Eala reached the fourth round of Wimbledon, marking the first time in her career she made it to the second week of a Grand Slam. These impressive results earned her the seventeenth seed in New York, and she is no longer viewed as a mere flash in the pan.

In the second round, Eala will face Oleksandra Oliynykova,a Ukrainian player who advanced after a 6-4, 6-4 victory over local wildcard Reese Brantmeier.

If she continues to overcome challenges, Eala could meet fourteenth seed Iva Jovic in the third round. This would be a special matchup, as the two young talents share a close friendship off the court.