Alexandra Eala's breakthrough summer stalled in Toronto on Sunday. Belinda Bencic snapped the 21-year-old Filipina's seven-match winning streak with a 6-4, 6-0 rout in the Round of 16.
Belinda Bencic Shuts the Door on Alex Eala in Straight Sets
Alex Eala pushed the 12th-seeded Swiss tennis pro early and even grabbed a break in the opener. Then Bencic settled in and closed the set 6-4.
Ultimately, her service game made the difference. Bencic cashed in on 67% of her first-serve points in the opener while Eala managed just 53%. That gap only widened after the break.
Bencic pounced on Eala's serve to open the second set, broke again in the third game, and sprinted to a 3-0 lead. She wrapped the match in 1 hour, 13 minutes.
Alexandra Eala Charts Tough Path Through 2026 Canadian Open
Despite this latest result, Alex Eala arrived at the 2026 Canadian Open riding tennis momentum.
She captured her first WTA title days earlier at the DC Open. After a first-round bye in Toronto, she topped Alycia Parks 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, then held off Caty McNally 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. That surge marked the longest winning streak of her career and the longest active run on tour.
Still, Eala's tour journey is far from over. The loss ends a career-best stretch, but her Toronto push establishes her as a real threat coming into the next WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati.
Bencic, meanwhile, readies to meet Coco Gauff in the 2026 Canadian Open quarterfinals.
