Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala at the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open, January 28, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File.MANILA — Alex Eala will get a familiar test before opening her US Open campaign against American Mary Stoiana, as she will face Naomi Osaka in a practice match on Sunday, Manila time.
Eala and Osaka will meet anew, less than a month after the Filipina tennis sensation beat the Japanese star, 6-4, 6-2, in the semifinals of the Mubadala DC Open on August 2.
The 21-year-old Eala eventually went on to rule the tournament with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Jessica Pegula in the Finals, and will look to build momentum ahead of her US Open debut.
Awaiting Eala in the first round is Stoiana, currently ranked No. 122 in the world and set to make her US Open main draw debut.
Eala entered the main draw as the 17th seed, while Stoiana booked her spot after beating France’s Harmony Tan, 6-4, 6-3; Britain’s Katie Swan, 6(5)-7, 6-3, 6-3; and China’s Yue Yuan, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, in qualifying.
The schedule for the Eala-Stoiana match has yet to be announced.