LIVE UPDATES: Alex Eala vs Amanda Anisimova at the Cincinnati Open Round of 32

Like Eala, Anisimova, now 24 years old and the world No. 10, was also once hailed as a teen prodigy, winning the 2017 US Open Girls' singles by sweeping compatriot and fellow future star Coco Gauff in the finals.

Anisimova then moved to the professional ranks and made an even much bigger impact after dethroning Simona Halep to reach the semifinals of the 2019 French Open at just 17 years old, and making the quarterfinals of the 2022 Wimbledon.

However, Anisimova’s rise was not without its setbacks.

The American star stepped away from the sport for eight months, from May 2023 to January 2024, as she dealt with burnout and prioritized her mental health. That break saw Anisimova’s ranking plummet from No. 46 to No. 373 as she remained away from competitive action.

When she returned to competitive play, Anisimova was unstoppable, reaching the finals of the 2024 Canadian Open before falling to Jessica Pegula. She ended that year at No. 39.

In 2025, Anisimova reached two Grand Slam finals in a row, making her first-ever Wimbledon final before following it up with another championship-round appearance at the US Open. She fell to Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon and Aryna Sabalenka in New York.

Still, her remarkable comeback allowed Anisimova to surge all the way to No. 4 in the WTA rankings to finish the 2025 season.

Last January, Anisimova reached a career-high mark at No. 3 during her Round of 16 run at the Brisbane International. She then reached the Australian Open quarterfinals, semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships, and the HSBC Championships quarterfinals.

GMA News Online

Who is Amanda Anisimova? Alex Eala's third-round foe in the Cincinnati Open | GMA News Online

Alexandra "Alex" Eala will look to add another name to the growing list of Top 10 players that she has defeated when she faces world No. 10 Amanda Anisimova in a heavyweight Round of 32 clash at the Cincinnati Open.

Eala and Anisimova will face each other for the first time in their careers.

GMA News Online

Alex Eala faces Amanda Anisimova for first time as Cincinnati Open run continues in Round of 32 | GMA News Online

The Philippine ace earned a first-round bye before dominating the rain-delayed Round of 64, as Elena-Gabriela Ruse retired late in the second set due to an apparent injury, handing Eala a 6-1, 3-0 victory.

Anisimova, the ninth-seeded player in Cincinnati, likewise had a breezy victory in the previous round after pulling off a 6-2, 6-3 victory against Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey to arrange a maiden encounter with Eala.

Against the American star, Eala is seeking her 10th win over a Top 10 player.

GMA News Online

Alex Eala's biggest upsets: Her wins over the world's Top 10 Players | GMA News Online

Alex Eala's Season recap (singles)

North American swing

Canadian Open — Round of 16

DC Open — Champion

Grass-court swing

Wimbledon (Grand Slam) — Round of 16

Bad Homburg Open (WTA 500) — Round of 32

Berlin Tennis Open (WTA 500) — Semifinals

HSBC Championships (WTA 500) — Round of 16

Birmingham Open (WTA 125) — Champion

Clay-court swing

French Open (Grand Slam) — Round of 128

Italian Open (WTA 1000) — Round of 32

Madrid Open (WTA 1000) — Round of 64

Stuttgart Open (WTA 500) — Round of 32

Linz Open (WTA 500) — Round of 16

Sunshine Swing

Miami Open (WTA 1000) — Round of 16

Indian Wells Open (WTA 1000) — Round of 16

Middle East Swing

Dubai Tennis Championships (WTA 1000) — Quarterfinals

Qatar Open (WTA 1000) — Round of 64

Abu Dhabi Open (WTA 500) — Quarterfinals

Philippine Women’s Open (WTA 125) — Quarterfinals

Australian Swing

Australian Open (Grand Slam) — Round of 128

ASB Classic (WTA 250) — Semifinals

Click here to read article