Tennis

Alex Eala battles through an ankle injury to reach the Round of 16 in Toronto.

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 8, 2026, 23:46 IST

In the WTA Tour National Bank Open held in Toronto, Alexandra Eala triumphed despite an ankle scare and Caty McNally's comeback.

Alex Eala battles through an ankle injury to reach the Round of 16 in Toronto.

Filipina tennis player Alex Eala showcased her resilience on Friday as she triumphed over American Caty McNally in a thrilling match at the WTA Tour National Bank Open in Toronto. Eala secured her spot in the Round of 16 with a final score of 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, despite facing an ankle scare in the second set. This victory marks Eala's third consecutive win against American opponents, following her success against Jessica Pegula in the Mubadala DC Open final and her earlier victory over Alycia Parks in Toronto. With this win, the 21-year-old remains undefeated in the North American hard-court swing, boasting an impressive record of 7-0.

Match Highlights and Turning Points

The match began with both players struggling to hold serve, resulting in a series of breaks in the opening games. McNally initially took the lead at 3-1 after finally holding serve in the fourth game. However, Eala quickly regained control, breaking McNally's serve twice to take the first set 6-3. Eala's ability to dictate play was evident, as she outperformed McNally with a 12-5 advantage in winners during the set.

As the second set unfolded, Eala maintained her momentum until she rolled her ankle, prompting a medical timeout. This injury seemed to hinder her movement, allowing McNally to capitalize and take the set 7-5 after a series of breaks. Eala, however, quickly regrouped in the deciding set, racing to a 2-0 lead after breaking McNally's serve in the first game. She managed to maintain this advantage, ultimately closing out the match in the tenth game.

Post-Match Reflections

After the match, Eala expressed her gratitude towards McNally, acknowledging the competitive spirit displayed throughout the contest. "I want to thank Caty for a great match, being a great sport," Eala remarked. She reflected on the emotional rollercoaster of the past two weeks, stating, "Just so many extreme emotions. I'm doing my best to power through and be professional." Eala's next challenge will be against No. 12 seed Belinda Bencic, who advanced after a hard-fought match against Taylor Townsend, setting the stage for another exciting encounter.

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