Overview

• Eala, 20, overturned a 1-5 deficit in the deciding set to defeat Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) on Grandstand after the Dane twice served for the match.
• She became the first player from the Philippines to win a main-draw singles match at a major in the Open era, celebrating through tears with a large Filipino contingent in the crowd.
• Eala entered New York ranked No. 75 and trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy, building on a breakout 2025 that featured a Miami Open semifinal with wins over Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek.
• Live rankings moved her to approximately No. 65 after the upset, with reports noting a rise into the top 60 is possible with another victory.
• Indonesia’s Janice Tjen also scored an opening-round upset over No. 24 Veronika Kudermetova, marking a standout day for Southeast Asian tennis at Flushing Meadows.