Alex Eala gets chance for another payback as Ruse awaits in Cincinnati Open

THINK. Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after losing a game against Belinda Bencic (SUI) during fourth-round play in the 2026 Canadian Open at Sobeys Stadium.

Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images/Reuters

Alex Eala crosses paths with Elena-Gabriela Ruse again two years after the Romanian denied the Filipina what would have been her first main draw appearance in a Grand Slam

AT A GLANCE

• Alex Eala is set to face Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the Cincinnati Open, marking a rematch two years after Ruse defeated Eala in the 2024 US Open qualifiers.
• Eala has significantly improved her ranking from No. 153 to No. 20 over the past two years, achieving notable successes including a fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon and a WTA Tour title.
• Eala, now seeded 17th in the tournament, received a first-round bye and aims to continue her winning streak against former opponents, having recently defeated her last seven past conquerors.

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MANILA, Philippines – Another one of Alex Eala’s former conquerors stand in her way. 

Eala begins her campaign in the Cincinnati Open in the United States against a familiar foe as she battles Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the round of 64. 

Their rematch comes two years after Ruse hacked out a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Eala in the third qualifying round of the 2024 US Open, denying the Filipina what would have been her first main draw appearance in a Grand Slam. 

Back then, Eala was still ranked outside the world top 150 at No. 153, while Ruse was at No. 122. 

Eala, though, has seen a remarkable rise over the last two years as she now ranks No. 20 following impressive runs in her last three tournaments: a historic fourth-round stint in the Wimbledon Championships, a breakthrough WTA Tour title in the Washington Open, and a fourth-round outing in the Canadian Open. 

With three players in the top 20 — Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova, Canada’s Victoria Mboko, and Italy’s Jasmine Paolini — unable to compete due to injuries, Eala got seeded 17th — her highest in a WTA 1000 tournament — and earned a first-round bye.

Meanwhile, world No. 74 Ruse needed to beat Poland’s Magda Linette, 6-0, 6-3, to arrange a rematch with Eala. 

If Eala gets her payback on Ruse, she will face either close friend Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey or world No. 10 Amanda Anisimova of the United States in the round of 32.

Eala has found success against past conquerors, beating each of her last seven opponents who previously defeated her as she topped Mexico’s Renata Zarazua, Australia’s Maya Joint, Poland Iga Swiatek, China’s Zheng Qinwen, Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, and USA’s Jessica Pegula and Alycia Parks.