The US Open has begun spreading out its first round each year, and the move makes sense and helps reduce major schedule changes if rain interrupts play. The final day of the first round for 2026 is on Tuesday, and fans will want to stay up late because that is when they will see Alex Eala.
The rising star is scheduled to play American Mary Soiana in the final match of the day at the major's second-largest stadium. No earlier than 9 pm ET (New York time), Eala will take the court inside Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Stoiana is 23 years old and hasn't had much success in singles at anything about a WTA 125, and even then, it's limited. Ultimately, Eala shouldn't have a hard time against the qualifier, but sometimes playing someone for the first time in the main draw at the US Open is more challenging than expected.
Alex Eala is scheduled to play the final match of the day on Tuesday at the US Open
Assuming Eala gets past Stoiana, she should have a fairly straightforward path to the fourth round, with only Iva Jovic potentially giving her trouble (assuming they play). In the round of 16, though, the young Filipina could face Coco Gauff, who has won the US Open before and is picked by many to win again in 2026.
That said, nothing is guaranteed, and Eala has beaten Gauff once in their two meetings. What is certain is that Alexandra Eala won't fear anyone she plays and will fight until the match is taken from her before finally giving up.
The best Eala has done previously at the final major of the year is reaching the second round. This is only her third appearance at the US Open, and she didn't make it out of qualifying two years ago. She is definitely in different form now, having won her first WTA 500 earlier this summer.
If you want to watch Alex Eala play, here is how. (If you live in the Philippines, the time her match is expected to start is 9 am PHT on Wednesday.
US Open 2026: How to watch/stream
- United States: ESPN
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports
- Canada: RDS
- Australia: Nine and Stan Sport
- France: Eurosport France
- Italy: Sky Sport Italia
- India: JioHotstar
- Spain: Telefonica/Movistar
- Mexico, Caribbean, and most of South America: ESPN
- Brazil: sporttv
- China: CCTV and Migu TV
- Japan: WOWOW
- Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
For all other locations, you can click here for all the official broadcast partners with the US Open.
Add us as a preferred source on Google