Alex Eala rolls past Oleksandra Oliynykova into US Open third round

Philippines’  Alexandra Eala celebrates defeating Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova during their women’s singles second round tennis match on day five of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 3, 2026. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

LIVE: Alex Eala vs Oleksandra Oliynykova – US Open 2026 second round

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala marched on to the third round of the US Open 2026 after turning back Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine, 6-1, 6-4 on Friday at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.

Eala built on her blazing start to withstand Oliynykova’s comeback in the second set and surpass her breakthrough second-round finish at Flushing Meadows last year.

“I think my patience and the consistency of my focus. I think that was the key to winning the match today,” Eala said in the on-court interview.

She faces either Iva Jovic or Francesca Jones in the Round of 32.

Eala, the world No. 18, won the first eight points to race to a 2-0 lead before building a 4-2 advantage and wrapping up the set in just 23 minutes.

But Oliynykova, who beat Eala last May on clay at the Strasbourg Open, came out with a steadier service game in the second set and took an early 2-1 lead.

Eala responded with a love hold and the first break of the second set to regain the advantage at 3-2 before Oliynykova broke back to tie it.

A break and a love service game pushed Eala closer to victory at 5-3. Oliynykova won a game to stay in contention, but the Filipino tennis star served out the match to the delight of the Filipino fans.