Alex Eala meets Belinda Bencic for the first time when they clash in the Canadian Open Round of 16.
National Bank Open (Canadian Open Toronto 2026) schedule
August 10, Monday – Center Court
8:10 a.m. (tentative) – Alex Eala vs Belinda Bencic
LIVE UPDATES: Alex Eala vs Belinda Bencic – Canadian Open Round of 16
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Alexandra Eala, of the Philippines, reacts during a match against Belinda Bencic, of Switzerland, during a round of 16 match at the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (Keito Newman/The Canadian Press via AP)
MANILA, Philippines–The best stretch of Alex Eala’s career came to an end in the Canadian Open round of 16 on Monday (Manila time) in Toronto.
Seemingly weary after the amount of tennis she’s played dating back to her title run in Washington last week, Eala was overwhelmed by a ruthless Belinda Bencic, 4-6, 0-6, despite being cheered on by a massive Filipino crowd at Center Court at Sobeys Stadium.
“I know most of you guys were cheering for Alex, but I still have to say it was very nice to play in front of you all. Thank you so much for the great crowd tonight,” said the 12th-seeded Bencic.
FINAL: Alex Eala’s run comes to a screeching halt after a 4-6, 0-6 loss to a ruthless Belinda Bencic in the Canadian Open round of 16 in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/7yBqyNbiMa
— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) August 10, 2026
Full attack mode ‼️@BelindaBencic takes the opening set 6-4 against Eala.#NBO26 pic.twitter.com/5X83nPeZx1
— wta (@WTA) August 10, 2026
Bencic takes the opening set, 6-4. The first set featured five breaks
Bencic set point, 40-15
Bencic reclaims the upper hand with another break, 5-4
Bencic catches Eala off guard with backhand down the line
Eala attacks the net, deuce
Bencic break point, 40-15
Bencic long. Eala 15-30
Eala back-to-back errors, 0-30
Bencic costly double fault, Eala breaks back and knots it up, 4-4
Bencic blows a free point, Eala break point advantage
Bencic forces the deuce
Eala bread and butter: service return winner for break point, 40-15
Eala finding the angle on that forehand winner, 30-15
Eala ace to hold. She trails, 3-4
Eala wide, 40-30
Bencic crosscourt backhand to take a 4-2 lead
Eala forehand winner as Bencic couldn’t catch up, 15-40
Bencic service game is on point
Bencic ace, 30-0
Bencic breaks again, she’s back on top, 3-2
Eala breaks back. Crowd roars as Eala levels 2-2
Eala break point, 40-15
Bencic double fault. Eala 30-15
Eala short. Bencic breaks to grab the lead, 2-1
Another double fault for Eala, Bencic break point
Bencic first break point of the match, 40-30
Early double fault for Eala, 0-15
Bencic also serves to love to tie, 1-1
Hot start for Eala, who holds to love, 1-0
Eala breaks the ice, 15-0
Winner moves on to the quarterfinals vs fourth-ranked Coco Gauff
Alex Eala wins the toss and elects to serve first.
Match to begin in a few minutes
The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala celebrates a point against United States’ Caty McNally during a National Bank Open tennis match in Toronto on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
MANILA, Philippines — After surviving a three-set battle against Caty McNally, Alex Eala will be tested anew against Swiss star Belinda Bencic for a quarterfinal spot in the Canadian Open in Toronto.
Eala and the 12th seed and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Bencic meet for the first time on Monday in a match that starts not before 8:10 a.m. (Manila time).
“Oh, super excited. It’s going to be the first time that I’m facing her,” said Eala. “Of course, Belinda, she has accomplished so much in tennis. Of course, I remember watching her win the Olympic medal, so I think I’m really excited to be on court again.”
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