Eala survives McNally, marches to Canadian Open’s Round of 16

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Alex Eala dodged a bullet and successfully formalized her National Bank Open Round of 16 berth after edging American Caty McNally, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, in Toronto, Ontario, on Aug. 8, 2026.

The thrilling Round of 32 showdown lasted two hours and 39 minutes, making it one of the most epic nip-and-tuck affairs in the ongoing WTA 1000-level tournament.

Just like in her opening victory against Alycia Parks, the 21-year-old Filipina ace started on a high note, experienced a turbulent second set, and took care of the third and final frame in style.

However, the scenarios were contrasting, as Eala slowed down due to Parks’ rejuvenated serving game while overcoming a second-set injury scare against McNally.

Up 3-2 in the second set, Eala twisted her right ankle while hitting a jumping forehand. Although she was able to reset in the center of the baseline and hit another return, the world No. 20 WTA player grimaced in pain and called for a medical timeout.

Eala missed a chance to seal the deal after reaching match point at 5-4 on her serve, but a series of unforced errors allowed McNally to come back and close the set on a 3-0 run.

Instead of dwelling on the final three games of the second set, Eala quickly moved past the missed opportunity and buckled down to work in the final period.

After getting her foot taped, Eala returned to play, showing the heart of a champion in an impressive bounce-back performance in the third set.

Despite sustaining the injury, Eala regained her poise under pressure, kicking off the decider with a momentum-boosting 2-0 advantage.

It was as if she hadn’t tweaked her ankle. Eala even removed the tape, dictated the tempo, and controlled the match’s pace with more stable baseline returns.

Things got interesting when McNally targeted Eala’s backhand with looping topspin forehands, but the Filipina quickly adjusted by hitting more deep slices to set up her signature drop shots.

McNally resorted to a desperate serve-and-volley approach in the final three games, which Eala countered with ease using down-the-line passing shots.

Needing only one point to get the job done, Eala capitalized on McNally’s long forehand return and immediately showed emotion after getting through the grinder in the tough Round of 32 match.

“I’m okay, yeah, I think I survived that one,” Eala said when asked about her ankle injury.

“I want to thank Caty for a great match, being a great sport. It’s one of those matches that really could’ve gone either way. I think it was really down to details and a little bit of luck.”

Awaiting Eala in the Round of 16 is Belinda Bencic, who earlier took down Taylor Townsend in a three-set thriller, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4.