Overview
- Eala defeated American Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2 in the US Open first round at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Tuesday to reach the second round.
- Her serving numbers improved in the match as she won a majority of first-serve points, and she converted four of eight break points while Stoiana went 0-for-6 on break chances.
- Despite Stoiana finishing with more winners, Eala committed far fewer unforced errors and won more total points, underlining stronger match control.
- Broad Filipino support filled the stands in a phenomenon dubbed “Eala‑mania,” and commentators also flagged a visible moment in Stoiana’s box when coach Fran Vittar smiled during a critical game.
- The result builds on Eala’s breakout summer — a WTA 500 title, a Wimbledon fourth-round run and a rise into the top 20 — and sets up a second-round rematch with Oleksandra Oliynykova that will test whether Eala’s serve can sustain deeper Grand Slam progress.