What next for Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala after Montreal setback

Dubai: Alexandra Eala may have exited early in Montreal, but the 20-year-old Filipina served a strong reminder of her growing presence on the WTA Tour — pushing former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova to three sets before injury stalled her charge.

Eala took the first set 6-3 against the 2023 Wimbledon winner before a left shoulder issue flared up in the decider. The injury, which required a medical timeout, hampered her rhythm as she eventually went down 6-3, 1-6, 2-6 in the opening round of the WTA 250 event on Sunday.

While the result was disappointing, her performance against a Grand Slam champion — including a dominant first set — underscored her continued growth at the highest level of the sport.

Despite the early exit, Eala received a small boost in the latest WTA rankings, climbing from No 69 to 65. It’s a reassuring step for the Filipina, who had reached a career-high of World No. 56 in June before slipping after a four-week competitive break.

A potential highlight on the horizon could be a meeting with Canadian star Leylah Fernandez at the upcoming Cincinnati Open. Fernandez, another player with Filipino roots, is riding a wave of momentum after claiming the biggest title of her career at the D.C. Open. The 22-year-old left-hander swept past Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-2 in the final to capture her fourth career title — and first at a WTA 500 event.

Fernandez, ranked World No. 36, was a finalist at the 2021 US Open and reached the D.C. crown by eliminating top seeds Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina. A showdown between Eala and Fernandez would not only pit two exciting talents against each other but would also resonate with fans in both the Philippines and Canada.

Eala took a four-week break after the European swing, spending time in Manila to recharge. The pause has helped her reset mentally and embrace the importance of rest as part of her development ahead of the Montreal Open.

Her primary focus now is building match fitness and momentum ahead of the US Open — her debut in the main draw at Flushing Meadows.

“There’s no pressure on me,” Eala said recently. “I’m focusing on enjoying the experience and growing every week.”

With her powerful baseline game, growing maturity and fearless court presence, Eala continues to mark herself as one of the most promising young players on tour — and Montreal, despite the scoreline, only strengthened that impression.