Alex Eala ends 2026 Australian Open singles run

Alex Eala bowed out of the 2026 Australian Open women's singles after United States' Alycia Parks edged her out with a 6-0, 3-6, 2-6 win. 

The two faced off in a round 1 matchup on Jan. 19 in Court 6 of Melbourne Park, which was filled with Filipinos cheering on the 20-year-old Pinay player.

Eala, the world's no. 49, blazed through the first set with a triple break against the 25-year-old American player, the world's no. 99.

Court 6, aka Eala's turf 👌@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/rwSEoFJxsA

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2026

Parks bounced back in the second set, forcing a deciding third set, in which the American player had the upper hand. After a nearly two-hour exchange, Parks won after a backhand forced error from Eala.

The American tennis player, who has one WTA singles title from the 2023 Lyon Open, goes on to face off against the winner of the match between Karolina Muchova and Jaqueline Cristian.

Eala first appeared in the Australian Open in 2023 and got eliminated early in the qualifiers. 

After her singles exit, Eala will also compete in doubles alongside Brazil's Ingrid Martins against Japan's Shuko Aoyama and Poland's Magda Linette.

The Filipina is also scheduled to appear in the first-ever Philippine Women's Open later in January as a wildcard.