Alex Eala, who had never made it past the second round of the US Open, was in no mood to play around with Oleksandra Oliynykova in their 2026 second-round match. Starting strongly is exactly what great players do, snuffing out any hope their perceived less-talented opponents might have.
The Filipina started with a love hold and followed that with a love break. By the time Oliynykova won her first game, Eala already led 4-0. The set was done, and the question was whether the Ukrainian could make the match closer. The way that Eala was playing made that seem doubtful.
The difference between the 21-year-old Filipina and many other players is that, despite her weaknesses (such as a relatively slow second serve), she can outthink her opponent and then anticipate the changes the other player might try once Eala has a lead. It is getting the lead that matters.
Alex Eala dominates Oleksandra Oliynykova in the second round of the US Open
Having to play from behind takes a lot of energy, and while the temperature was exceedingly high in New York on Thursday, the humidity was rough. The Filipina knew that if she got a strong lead, she could simply outlast Oliynykova if the Ukrainian could even mount any semblance of a comeback.
In the first set, Oliynykova had zero winners but nine unforced errors. Most of those mistakes were caused by Eala pushing the Ukrainian into the corners of the court, forcing her to constantly play defense. Oliynykova is a mentally strong player and doesn't give in easily, but Eala's play was forcing an outcome that appeared certain from the outset of the match.
The Ukrainian at least gave herself some hope to begin the second set as she took the opening game. Eala followed that with a love hold, ripping groundstrokes from both wings that Oliynykova had no chance of catching up to.
While the Ukrainian definitely improved her form in set two, playing more efficiently, it still wasn't enough to even the match. As Eala has done quite a bit in 2026, when she has her serve broken, she often breaks right back. That happened after Oliynykova got a break to get to 3-all, but then Eala got the break to lead 4-3.
The Filipina then held at love, and any drama with the potential outcome was over. Oliynykova held, but then so did Eala, taking the second set, 6-4, and entering the third round of the New York major for the first time in her career.
In the third round of the US Open, Alex Eala will take on the winner of the match between 18-year-old Iva Jovic and Francesca Jones. Jovic and Eala are friends, and should they face each other in the next round, their match would make for must-watch tennis.
Add us as a preferred source on Google