Amanda Anisimova outlasted Alexandra Eala 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in a third-round test at the 2026 Cincinnati Open on Monday. The Eala vs. Anisimova battle stretched 2 hours, 28 minutes before the No. 9 seed pulled away with the win.
Alexandra Eala Wins 1st Set Before Amanda Anisimova's Momentum Swing
Eala, seeded 17th, grabbed the opener by breaking late. Anisimova hit back in the seventh game of the second, squaring the match on serve. Momentum swung once more when Eala jumped to a 2-0 cushion in the decider. From there, though, the US star reeled off six straight games and never let the lead slip again.
Afterward, Anisimova credited both her opponent and the Cincinnati crowd.
"I know Alex is such a great player and such a fighter," she said. "There was quite a bit of support for me tonight so I really appreciate that, because I know how loved Alex is... and for good reason."
Anisimova Faces Wimbledon Champ at 2026 Cincinnati Open
The result delivered Anisimova her second Top 20 win of the season. Up next, she faces a Round of 16 meeting with Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova — the No. 6 seed.
Eala, meanwhile, looks ahead to her 2026 US Open campaign, where she'll compete in both the singles and mixed doubles bracket with partner Felix Auger-Aliassime.
