Sam Querrey Says ‘Superstar’ Alexandra Eala is a ‘Problem’ for Her Rivals

Rivals need to be wary of Alexandra Eala, who not only has the backing of the majority of the crowd but has also started playing good tennis consistently. The Filipina ace is competing at the Cincinnati Open, where she received a walkover from Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the opening round.

Eala, who achieved her career-best ranking of No.20 earlier this month, has an 8-1 win-loss record in the North American events this season. Before arriving in the Ohio city, she reached the fourth round of the Canadian Open for the first time in her career.

But before the Toronto WTA 1000 event, Eala had a historic run in Washington. On her maiden appearance at the Citi Open, she defeated Qinwen Zheng, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, Elina Svitolina, and Naomi Osaka before upsetting home favorite Jessica Pegula in the final.

The win made her the first player from the Philippines to win a tour-level title. Because of Eala’s consistency, former ATP player Sam Querrey said she has the ability to win every tournament she plays.

She is such a superstar. We were talking about this during her match now. Is she the biggest star in tennis right now? I kind of think maybe she is. She’s playing like it right now. She’s definitely in that group right now, I think, of ten women that you could say could win every tournament she signs up for. It’s no longer hype. She is backing up the results tournament after tournament after tournament.

Sam Querrey said on the Tennis Channel Live desk

Eala first drew the tennis world’s attention at last year’s Miami Open, reaching the semifinals after defeating Grand Slam champions like Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek. She then played her first tour-level final at the Eastbourne International, losing the title to Maya Joint.

You might have thought, after Miami, was it last year, where she had the run? Maybe the ranking will dive off a little bit. It hasn’t, it just keeps going up. The big, massive win in D.C. two weeks ago, played well in Canada last week. Off to a hot start here, so she’s here to stay.

Sam Querrey added

Eala is competing in Cincinnati for the first time. Swiatek is playing as the defending champion. She beat Jasmine Paolini in the final last year.

Alexandra Eala will face Amanda Anisimova in the third round

Alexandra Eala has a huge challenge in front of her in the form of two-time Grand Slam runner-up Amanda Anisimova. The American ace, who will be hoping to reach the fourth round of her home tournament for the first time, eliminated Zeynep Sonmez in the opening round.

Last year, her run ended in the third round. Anisimova and Eala will face each other for the first time.

I haven’t played her before. She’s been having such an incredible season. A very great player with a lot of fans. I’m really looking forward to that. I know it’s probably gonna be a very packed stadium. I’m sure it will be really fun.

Amanda Anisimova said during the on-court interview

Anisimova is a two-time champion in WTA 1000 events, winning last year’s Qatar Open and the China Open. But she hasn’t won a tournament since her Beijing title. Eala’s best performance at this level came in last year’s Miami Open.

This season, Anisimova has played just one WTA 1000 semifinal, in Dubai. Before arriving in Cincinnati, she competed at the Canadian Open, where her run ended in the fourth round. The winner of Eala versus Anisimova will face Clara Tauson or Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the fourth round.

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