Filipino Canadian steps up to win Singapore Open

Filipino Canadian Leylah Fernandez is back in the winners circle.

A Filipina wins the Singapore Open after all, just not the one everyone expected.

Local fans packed the stands at the Singapore Tennis Open expecting a deep run from young home-region favorite Alex Eala. But after Eala suffered an early exit in the Round of 16, it was Leylah Fernandez who stepped into the spotlight, dismantling Australia's Talia Gibson 7-5, 6-0 in the final to capture her sixth career WTA title.

Fernandez, who proudly embraces her Filipino Canadian heritage, made sure to give a massive shoutout to the local crowd that fueled her dominant run all week long.

Feeling the Pinoy love

In her on-court post-match speech, an emotional Fernandez expressed deep gratitude to the passionate crowd:

“I would like to thank all the Singaporean fans and the Pinoy fans who came to watch this whole week. Not only my matches, but everybody’s matches. You guys made this week extremely special with all your encouragement, the energy, and the positivity that you brought in everyone’s matches. It truly meant a lot. Thank you for coming to watch women’s tennis, and hopefully, you guys get to watch many more matches live and in person too.”

Tournament breakdown

After fighting through a tight 7-5 first set, Fernandez hit another gear, delivering a 6-0 bagel in the second set to seal the WTA 500 crown in 1 hour and 38 minutes.

To reach the finals, the sixth-seeded Fernandez had to battle past top seed Mirra Andreeva, dropping only one set the entire tournament.

With this victory, Fernandez is set to make a triumphant return to the WTA top 30, while Eala shifts her focus to her gold medal chase at the Asian Games in Japan.

Of the six titles Fernandez has won, three have been Asian tournaments. She will move on to Beijing for the China Open, followed by the Korea Open, the Ninngbo Open in China, the Japan Open in Osaka, the Toray Open in Tokyo, Guangzo Open in China and tournaments in Hong Kong and India.

"This gives me a lot of confidence, but I do know that the very next day I have to start from zero," Fernandez told reporters after winning the Singapore title. "Another big tournament starts. Beijing is not an easy tournament, with so many top players. So you know it's just going to get tougher from here on out.

"But seeing that I was able to go through this type of adversity this week gives me the belief that I can do it again."

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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.

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Wave of Asian players and fans wash over the US Open; Eala, Pegula, Fernandez, Osaka advance

Alexandra Eala brought her game and Eala Mania to the US Open.

As the first week of the US Open Tennis Championships heats up, players of Asian heritage are making serious noise in Flushing Meadows, literally and figuratively.

From rising phenoms to battle-tested veterans, along with Eala's enthusiastic fan base, the Asian American community's presence is dominating the courts.

Philippine flags fluttered all around Armstrong Court Monday evening in support of the Phiippine sensation who has captured the hearts and hopes of the Filipino diaspora and the Big Apple's media always on the lookout for the next big thing.

Eala’s revenge

Filipina sensation Alexandra Eala is leaving no doubt that she belongs on the grand stage. After dismantling American qualifier Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2 in her opening match, the 17th seed is moving directly into a high-stakes rematch.

On Thursday, September 3, Eala will face Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova in a second-round blockbuster. There is history here: Oliynykova holds a 1-0 head-to-head advantage, having bounced Eala in a grueling three-set battle (3-6, 7-5, 6-3) on the Strasbourg clay back in May. But New York's fast hard courts are Eala's backyard. 

Coming off her maiden WTA 500 title in Washington — where she systematically took down top-tier talent — the 21-year-old trailblazer has the momentum and a fiercely vocal fan base ready to blow the roof off the stadium.

Pegula vs. Fernandez

Fans won't have to wait long for the tournament's first true popcorn match between two former US Open finalists. On Friday, September 4, 3rd seed Jessica Pegula (who is of Korean descent) will clash with 31st seed. Filipino Canadian Leylah Fernandez, in the Round of 32.

Both stars breezed through their second-round matchups. Pegula cruised past Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1, while Fernandez handled Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4, 6-1. This upcoming Friday showdown marks the fifth professional meeting between the two, with Pegula leading their head-to-head rivalry 3-1.

While Pegula dominated their last meeting under the Miami sun, Fernandez has proven she can disrupt the American's rhythm on fast hard courts. With a spot in the second week on the line, expect absolute fireworks.

Osaka makes a fashion & on-court statement

If you’re talking about cultural impact and tennis royalty at Flushing Meadows, you cannot leave Naomi Osaka out of the conversation. The two-time champion did what she does best: grabbed the spotlight and refused to let go. [

The 13th-seeded Japanese star stepped onto the Arthur Ashe Stadium court looking less like a tennis player and more like a Hall of Fame point guard. Rocking a dramatic Nike black-on-black kit complete with a signature headband and arm sleeve, Osaka explicitly stated her look was a tribute to NBA legend Allen Iverson. "He's a trailblazer, and I love expressing myself through style," Osaka told the stadium crowd.

But she brought the game to back up the gear. In a high-tension opening-round match against Russia's energetic Anastasia Zakharova, Osaka shook off some initial post-Toronto rust to secure a tight 7-6(6), 7-6(3) straight-sets victory that wrapped up past midnight. Showing off her lethal serve, she fired 11 aces to shut down any thoughts of a first-round upset.

Osaka will bring her heavyweight game back to the court on Thursday, September 3, for a second-round clash against Czech veteran Kateřina Siniaková. Osaka holds a narrow 2-1 head-to-head advantage over Siniaková, and with her sights set on a third American Grand Slam title, this match promises to be another must-watch chapter of her New York campaign. 

View from the edge

As the US Open rolls into its second week, one thing is abundantly clear: Asian and Asian American players aren’t just participating in tennis’s biggest celebration in Flushing Meadows—they are defining it. 

Whether it's the deafening cheers of "Eala Mania" echoing from Armstrong Court, the high-octane showdowns between established stars, or Osaka redefining court fashion and swagger, this tournament is proving that the future of tennis is vibrant, diverse, and unapologetically bold. 

Don't look away now; the noise is only going to get louder.

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Filipino matchup: Eala's gritty comeback beats Leylah Fernandez

The Philippines' Alexandra Eala ousts Filipino Canadian Leylah Fernandez at the DC Oopen.

Never count Alexandra Eala out as the Philippine sensation makes a statement to the tennis world: "Here I come!"

The world-ranked  No. 29 Filipina phenom put on an absolute masterclass of grit and determination at the 2026 Mubadala DC Open, dethroning the tournament's defending champion and No. 7 seed, Leylah Fernandez. Eala took the straight-sets victory 6-2, 7-6 (1) on the hard courts of Washington, D.C..

The much anticipated match between the two Filipino players came down as a tale of two entirely different sets:

In the first set Eala dominated early, finding her rhythm quickly to twice break the error-prone Fernandez -- 14 unforced errors -- and cruise to a 6-2 opener.

Fernandez seemed to settle down in the second set, in which she roared back, capitalizing on a double-break to build a commanding 5-1 lead.

With her back against the wall, Eala locked in. Clearly the crowd favorite, she reeled off five consecutive games, denied Fernandez from serving out the set twice, and forced a tiebreak. Eala then absolutely steamrolled through the tiebreak 7-1 to claim the match.

"I know that she was playing a little better, and maybe my level dropped a little bit," Eala said after the match. second- "Those are very tricky moments, when you know your level has dropped and you want to do better, but things for one reason or another just aren't coming out. 

"I think patience was key there, just trying to work it out, and a strong mentality in terms of trying to find solutions."

This victory comes less than 24 hours after Eala outlasted Paris Olympics gold medalist Zheng Qinwen in another grueling three-set battle, solidifying her status as one of the most dangerous rising stars on the WTA tour.

What's next

Eala moves on to her fifth tour-level quarterfinal of the 2026 season.The Matchup: She will face the winner of the Round of 16 match Thursday, July 30, between second seed Elina Svitolina and qualifier Polina Kudermetova. 

Eala's quarterfinal match with the winner of Svitolina/Kudermetova is scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2026.

No. 1 seed, Korean American Jessica Pegula received a bye for the first round. She will play against Poland's Magdalena French Thursday. Pegula has beaten French in their three previous meetings.

Meanwhile, third-seeded Naomi Osaka, playing for Japan, advanced to the quarterfinals of the Mubadala DC Open for the first time Wednesday night after Ashlyn Krueger retired with a right ankle injury while trailing 6-3, 3-1. The Japanese American will face Elisabetta Coccioretto for a semifinal spot after the Italian outlasted No. 8 seed Emma Navarro for a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 triumph.

As for Fernandez, she goes to become a hometown favorite in Toronto to play in the National Bank Open where competition begins Sunday, Aug. 2.

With hundreds of players competing on the women’s tour, it’s bittersweet that the only two athletes with Filipino roots had to cross paths so early in the draw. Fernandez and Eala now share a 1–1 record against each other, leaving fans to wonder what might have been had they met deeper into the tournament.

After her match with Fernandez, when asked about her global popularity and the supportive crowd, Eala deflected a question about her personal fame by saying, "No, I think the question should be rephrased, it's what it's like to be Filipino."

She called carrying the flag and representing hthe Philippines is not a burden, but a "privilege."

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Eala vs. Fernandez: A Pinoy showdown looms at the Mubadala DC Open

Leylah Fernandez, left, and Alexandra Eala are matched up gainst each other.

The Mubadala DC Open is about to host a historic tennis showcase that is creating buzz and torn loyalties throughout the Filipino diaspora.

On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, the Stadium court in Washington DC will feature an all-Filipino connection when the Philippines’ own Alexandra Eala battles Canada's Leylah Fernandez — who is of Filipino/Ecuadorian descent—for a spot in the quarterfinals.

The road to this dream match has been nothing short of cinematic for both left-handed stars, setting up a highly anticipated rematch of their lone previous tour encounter.

Most of the tennis world's attention has focused on Eala and her international following, with most of her fans coming out of the Philippine diaspora,

"I will say, over the last month, the ticketing team says at least 80-percent, if not more, of requests in this tournament are about when is Alex Eala playing," says Tournament chair Mark Ein. "Honestly, I think it's more, and they just didn't want to say it's more, but they're, like, virtually, all."

But, Fernandez has her following as well since she surprised the world by making it to the US Open Championship round in 2021 only to fall to a player of Chinese descent, Emma Radanacu, representing Great Britain.

"I definitely think back on those memories, on those feelings, the positive feelings, the fight, the energy that the crowd brought," the 23-year old Filipino Canadian said before the tournament. "So I try to use that to my advantage and try to go back into that state, and hopefully I can reproduce that here. ... I'm just going to try to go out there with the mindset of figuring things out."

The round of 16 match at the Mubadala DC Open between Fernandez and Eala takes place on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, as the first match on center court.

How to Watch in the US: Wednesday, July 29 at 11 AM ET (8 AM PT) aired on the Tennis Channel.

The tournament's opening rounds gave fans two entirely different flavors of tennis excellence.

Defending champion Fernandez (7th Seed) put on a clinic in her opening singles match on Monday. Displaying the clinical baseline precision that made her a Grand Slam finalist, Fernandez completely dismantled Poland's Magda Linette in a swift 6-1, 6-4 victory.

Alexandra Eala (Unseeded) entered the Washington D.C. tournament as a dangerous floater, the 21-year-old Filipina phenom faced a monumental hurdle in Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng. 

Eala dropped the first set 4-6 and looked dead in the water in the second, trailing 3-4 after losing her serve. But "grit" is practically a middle name for this young star. Prompted by a coaching reset, Eala roared back to take seven consecutive games, completely overwhelming Zheng in a dazzling 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 comeback triumph.

The first time they met

The two met once before. This Round of 16 clash is not just an exhibition of Filipino pride; it is an opportunity for revenge. In their only previous singles meeting at the Stuttgart Open earlier this year, Fernandez took the victory.

Following that smooth 6-1, 6-4 win, Fernandez confidently remarked in her post-match interview that she "found it quite easy"—a comment that raised eyebrows across the tennis community and surely added fuel to Eala's fire. 

“I think it’s going to be a very tough match for me. Leylah’s such an amazing player and an amazing person as well,” Eala said.

Eala has grown tremendously on hard courts since that clay-court meeting, and she looks ready to flip the script.

Pinoy pride in Washington

If tournament organizers thought the first round was loud, they haven't seen anything yet. According to tournament chairman Ein, ticketing requests over the past month have been absolutely dominated by fans asking when Eala would take the court.

During her comeback against Zheng, the local Filipino American community turned the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center into a home game for Eala. The crowd was a sea of Philippine flags, boisterous cheering, and passionate chants that echoed across the grounds. 

Eala openly credited that electric Pinoy energy for keeping her alive when she was down a set and a break.

When the two lefties step onto the Stadium court, the diaspora wins no matter what. But expect the stands to be packed, loud, and deeply proud as these two elite athletes showcase the power of Asian representation on the global stage.

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