Alex Eala’s Toronto campaign is still alive—and she made sure Filipino tennis fans felt every bit of the drama.
The 21-year-old Filipina tennis star powered past American Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, in a gripping three-set battle at the National Bank Open, securing her place in the next round of the tournament.
Eala came out firing in the opening set, immediately imposing her aggressive baseline game and sharp court coverage. She overwhelmed Parks with relentless pressure, surrendering only one game en route to a dominant 6-1 start.
But Parks refused to go quietly.
The American found her rhythm in the second set, matching Eala’s intensity and capitalizing on key opportunities to level the match with a 6-4 victory. The sudden turnaround forced the Filipina ace into a deciding third set, raising the tension for fans watching back home and inside the Toronto venue.
With the match hanging in the balance, Eala responded like a true champion.
She regained control of the rallies, tightened her defense, and rediscovered the confidence that fueled her blistering opening set. Eala pulled away in the decider, sealing the match 6-2 and celebrating an emotional victory after another demanding test on the WTA stage.
The win adds another memorable chapter to Eala’s remarkable 2026 season and proves once again that she is capable of handling pressure against dangerous opponents.
Up next, Eala is set to face another American challenger, Cathy McNally, in what promises to be another exciting clash.
Can the Filipina sensation keep her Toronto run alive and move one step closer to another major breakthrough?
One thing is certain: Alex Eala is not finished yet.
