US Open: Asian players advance as matches grow harder and more tense

USTA

Barangay New York showed up at the US Open to support Filipino sports hero Alex Eala.

The tennis world is witnessing a remarkable convergence of talent, culture, and representation at Flushing Meadows, as three powerhouse athletes with deep Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) roots advance into the deep end of the US Open draw.

 In a tournament that continuously showcases the global nature of modern tennis, Alexandra Eala, Naomi Osaka, and Jessica Pegula are carving out their own distinct, compelling storylines while carrying the passion of multi-ethnic communities with them into every set.

Perhaps the most gripping drama came from world No. 3 Jessica Pegula—whose mother was adopted from South Korea—in a thrilling generational battle against Filipino Canadian star Leylah Fernandez. 

Dropping the opening set 1-6 against Fernandez's blistering, aggressive angles, Korean American Pegula showed the quiet grit and tactical adaptability that defines her game. The match turned into an intense, physical chess match, with Pegula edging a high-tension second-set tiebreak before outlasting Fernandez 6-3 in the final frame to complete a dramatic comeback. 

Having overcome a fierce opponent with shared Asian heritage, Pegula moves into the fourth round (Round of 16) on September 6 to battle Romania’s No. 16 seed Sorana Cîrstea.

From left: Jessica Pegula, Naomi Osaka and Alex Eala are drawing new fans to the sport of tennis.

Alex Eala

Alexandra Eala has ignited a full-blown wave of "Eala Mania" with fans coming from as far as the Philippines and the bulk of fans coming from New York's Queens borough where a majority of the city's Filipino Americans reside..

 The 21-year-old Filipina sensation dismantled Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova in a commanding 6-1, 6-4 second-round victory, transforming Louis Armstrong Stadium into an electric celebration of Pinoy pride by waving Philippine flags, cheers of "Laban (Let's go) Alex!" and buying up tickets for Eala's matches and there has even been a sighting of the dancing Eala-saurus that first made its costumed appearance in Toronto's Canadian Open.

With every thunderous winner and composed rally, the energized crowd pushed Eala firmly into her maiden third-round appearance at a Grand Slam. With each match, Eala continues to make history. No other Southeast Asian has reached the third round of the US Open. 

She now prepares to face her close friend, America's No. 14 seed Iva Jovic, who is 2-0 against Eala in previous meetings. The two friends will take the court on September 5, with Eala looking to extend a fairytale run that has united Eala Mania with traditional tennis fans who love to cheer on the underdog.

Naomi Osaka

 

Meanwhile, two-time champion and 13th seed in the Open Naomi Osaka continues to seamlessly blend athletic resilience with cultural influence. 

The L.A.-based Japanese and Haitian icon turned heads in Arthur Ashe Stadium with a striking custom daytime kit before gritting out a hard-fought 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 battle against Czech strategist Kateřina Siniaková. 

After a brief mid-match wobble, the frustrated Osaka recalibrated her devastating baseline power to seal the third set and book a high-stakes third-round clash against Belgium’s No. 23 seed Elise Mertens on Sunday, Sept. 5.

Q.W. Zheng

Not as well known as Eala, Pegula and Osaka, China's Q.W. Zhen has made it to third round, fighting her past Yulia Putinseva in a hard fought 6-4, 2-6, 6-1. The Olympic Gold Medalist will meet up with the US's hard-hitting Madison Keys, Saturday at 8 a.m.

As the US Open continues, the players get better and the matches become  closer. Whatever the outcome, the focus of these Asian players indicates that one of them, or maybe more, could make it deeper into the tournament, the last Grand Slam event of the season.

As the tournament reaches its business end, these athletes are doing far more than advancing through the draw — they are fundamentally reshaping the culture of grand slam tennis. Win or lose in the coming rounds, their presence at Flushing Meadows signals a dynamic shift in the sport, bringing new energy, diverse fandoms, and an undeniable new era to the court.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.