Alex Eala bows out of Canadian Open to Belinda Bencic
Alex Eala's 2026 Canadian Open run has ended.
The World No. 20 was defeated by Belinda Bencic in their Round of 16 match on Monday, Aug. 10 (Philippine time).
Bencic powered through the match with a straight-set win 6-4, 6-0. She goes on to the quarterfinals.
Despite her loss, Eala exited Center Court with the crowd chanting, "Alex. Alex," per sports correspondent Dyan Castillejo, who was reported from the stands.
Eala played the entire match with a taped ankle owing to an injury she incurred during her Round of 32 match against Caty McNally on Aug. 8 (Philippine time), which she won 6–3, 5–7, 6–4. Midway through, Eala accidentally twisted her right ankle and had to go on a medical timeout. In her post-match interview, Eala explained that when she hit one forehand, she "landed kind of wrong."
Prior to her match against Bencic, Eala had a seven-match winning streak. The Filipina arrived at the 2026 Canadian Open fresh from winning her first WTA title at the Mubadala DC Open in early August after dominating World No. 3 Jessica Pegula.
