Alex Eala storms into US Open second round with commanding victory over Mary Stoiana
Philippines’ rising star Alex Eala wasted no time announcing her presence at the US Open, delivering a dominant 6-1, 6-2 demolition of American Mary Stoiana in the opening round at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The 21-year-old, seeded 17th, showcased remarkable composure and precision under the intense spotlight, dispatching her 23-year-old opponent – ranked a career-high 113 – with clinical efficiency during the night session.
Eala’s serve, a focal point of scrutiny amid her recent ascent up the rankings, proved a reliable weapon as she won 28 of 44 first serves, setting the tone from the outset. The Filipina’s aggressive approach and tactical maturity earned her the crowd’s enthusiastic support, fueling a confident performance that she described as a culmination of rigorous preparation.
Reflecting on her level of play, Eala said, “I’m very happy with the level I produced today. It’s never easy, especially in the first round of a tournament like the US Open. Mary’s been having some good weeks, so yeah, super happy.” She added on her serving, “I think I served pretty well. The serve is just a constant effort and constant work and trying to improve. I’m always trying to improve something. So I’m happy with how I served today.”
The atmosphere of playing in a major stadium with a roof added a unique challenge, but Eala embraced it. “It felt different, definitely. It was my first time playing one of the main stadiums here in the US Open, and it was very loud. That adds to the atmosphere, but it’s also something you have to navigate,” she explained. Despite the nerves that inevitably come with a Slam debut as a seeded player, she maintained focus. “There were nerves for sure. I’m not sure if it was from the noise or the first round of a Slam, but with experience, my goal is to tune it out.”
Looking ahead to her second-round clash against Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova, Eala acknowledged the stakes. “Yes, it was a really good match when I played her in Strasbourg. Very intense, quite tight. I think looking back, there are a lot of things I could have done better, and I’ve been working on those since then.” She vowed to bring an even sharper mindset to their upcoming encounter.
Eala also revealed the source of her on-court maturity and intelligence. “Being in this professional and competitive environment, surrounded by amazing, intelligent, and charismatic people, I’ve absorbed knowledge. I’m constantly trying to be a better, more aware person. I don’t think my tennis would be as good if I wasn’t the person I am off the court.”
Despite her rapid rise, she remains grounded and focused on enjoying the journey. “I’m still so young and have so much to learn. It would be a shame not to enjoy what I have, especially with all the love from fans. Playing on Armstrong, when I was a kid dreaming about this, it’s incredible.”
The support from fans continues to energise her. “They do still surprise me. The fans are very creative, and I love to see it. They make my day,” Alex Eala concluded, already setting the stage for an electrifying US Open campaign.