Alexandra Eala reaches Canadian Open third round in Toronto; brings in new fans to tennis

Alexandra Eala’s impact praised by Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff as she soars into Canadian Open third round

Tennis icons Osaka and Gauff hail Eala for bringing in new fans to the sport as the rising Filipina star continues her winning ways.

Just days on from winning her first WTA singles title in Washington , Alexandra Eala returned to the tennis court at the 2026 Canadian Open in Toronto.

After receiving a first-round bye, Eala’s first match-up came against U.S. competitor Alycia Parks , who she saw off over three sets, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

The 21-year-old Filipina was dominant in the first set, impressively winning five consecutive games after a fairly even opening two.

Parks responded by clinching the second on the back of a resilient showing, in which she saved four break points to maintain her lead at 3-2. She broke serve in the 10th game to force it to a final set.

The pair earned early breaks in the decider, but it was Eala who pushed on at 3-2 to secure a safe passage to the third round, where she will face another U.S. hopeful in Caty McNally on Friday (7 August).

Alex Eala beats Jessica Pegula to win first WTA Tour title

Alexandra Eala and Naomi Osaka at the Mubadala DC Open last week

Naomi Osaka: “It is so cool that Alex is building a new community”

Such is the case no matter where in the world she plays, plenty of fans were roaring Eala home in her tournament opener. It is something other competitors have praised since her breakout.

Speaking to reporters after her own second-round success, Naomi Osaka recalled walking past a packed-out practice court with fans eager to get a glimpse of Eala.

“I think it’s awesome,” said the former world No. 1, who lost to Eala in the semi-finals of last week’s Mubadala DC Open.

“They’re so kind too, her fans. I think she’s playing late tonight [Wednesday] and some of them were on my court cheering for me.

“I just felt really grateful, it’s so cool that she is building a new community. Her fans probably watch tennis enough now to have other favourites, too – it’s amazing and great for the tournament, because she sells a lot of tickets.”

Coco Gauff , who fended off competition from compatriot Kayla Day in the second round, was equally full of praise for this new demographic of supporters.

The 22-year-old, who has faced Eala numerous times, has urged other players to embrace the exposure she is bringing to the WTA Tour.

“I think I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again: I think the demographic that Alex is bringing to the sport of tennis is so great,” she told the media. “I think all of us should really embrace that, because we’re all benefiting from it.

“Just to see a nation of people, who maybe don’t always feel represented in this sport, really see themselves out there, I think it’s incredibly inspiring. It makes it fun for me to go out there and just play.”

Tennis | National Bank Open | Toronto & Montreal | Canada