Alex Eala wraps up US Open stint with a second-round finish

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Alex Eala’s US Open campaign ended with a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa on Aug. 28, 2025, at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.

Fresh off a comeback win over world No. 14 Clara Tauson, the Filipina tennis star couldn’t sustain her momentum and was undone by a string of unforced errors throughout the straight-sets match.

Eala committed 21 unforced errors in the second-round clash, many of which came during critical break-point opportunities.

She converted just three of nine break-point chances and struggled against Bucsa’s consistent baseline play.

Both players traded early breaks of serve, with back-to-back break points in the first eight minutes of the opening set.

Eala briefly gained control with powerful forehand down-the-line winners to grab a slim 4-3 lead and reach double break point, 15-40, in the seventh game.

But the tide turned when Eala failed to capitalize, allowing Bucsa to force deuce and hold serve with a gritty comeback.

Two untimely unforced errors — a wide return volley and a missed cross-court winner — derailed Eala’s momentum.

Bucsa seized the opening with a 2-0 run to take the first set.

In the second set, Eala made early adjustments, attacking Bucsa’s top-spin serves with aggressive down-the-line returns.

She tallied seven return aces, exploiting angles to gain an edge in rallies.

However, Bucsa responded with poise, fending off Eala’s surges and executing cleaner groundstrokes in crucial stretches.

Eala’s rhythm broke down again in the final four games, marred by another wave of unforced errors.

Despite the loss, Eala marked a milestone by becoming the first Filipina to win a singles match in a Grand Slam main draw since the start of the Open Era.

It was a valiant run, Alex — mabuhay ka pa rin!