Tennis

Eala's journey in Toronto concludes in the Round of 16 after Bencic halts her seven-match winning streak.

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 10, 2026, 08:18 IST

On Monday morning in the Philippines, Alex Eala's victory streak concluded with a 4-6, 0-6 defeat to Belinda Bencic in Toronto.

Eala's journey in Toronto concludes in the Round of 16 after Bencic halts her seven-match winning streak.

Alex Eala's impressive run in the National Bank Open came to an abrupt halt on Monday morning, Philippine time, as she faced a decisive defeat against Belinda Bencic in the Round of 16. The match concluded with a score of 4-6, 0-6, marking Eala's first straight-sets loss since her earlier exit at the Bad Homburg Open against Elise Mertens. This defeat also ended Eala's remarkable seven-match winning streak during her North American hard court campaign, the longest of her young career.

Match Overview

The match began with both players holding serve comfortably, but Eala encountered difficulties during her first service game. Two early double faults allowed Bencic to seize the opportunity, breaking Eala's serve and taking a 2-1 lead. The momentum shifted back and forth as Eala managed to break back, leveling the set at 4-4 after initially falling behind. However, Bencic quickly regained her advantage, breaking Eala again in the ninth game and ultimately serving out the set.

Bencic's serving prowess was evident, as she won 67% of her first-serve points compared to Eala's 53%. This disparity in serving efficiency played a crucial role in the outcome of the first set, setting the tone for the remainder of the match.

Second Set Struggles

The second set saw Eala struggle to find her rhythm, as Bencic broke her serve right from the start. The Swiss player continued to dominate, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead after breaking Eala's serve again in the third game. Eala faced relentless pressure, with Bencic winning eight return points on her first serve, which ultimately led to a comprehensive second-set defeat for the Filipina.

Following this loss, Eala is set to shift her focus to the upcoming Cincinnati Open, a WTA 1000 event scheduled to begin on August 15. She is anticipated to receive a first-round bye, providing her with an opportunity to regroup and prepare for the challenges ahead.

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