NOT THIS TIME

Alex Eala made sure that world No. 10 Amanda Anisimova would bleed for her points before bombing out of the Round of 32 of the Cincinnati Open on Tuesday at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.

The 24-year-old American admitted that her 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over the Filipina wasn’t easy as she had to survive her vastly-improved game and the massive crowd supporting her all throughout their two-hour, 28-minute battle that stretched close to midnight.

The 21-year-old Eala was in control early on before the American stormed back and tied the count with a second-set win. Eala fought back in the decider, taking a 2-0 advantage before Anisimova fought her way back to level at 2-all.

On her serve, Eala was ahead 40-15 in the fifth game before the American again made a run, firing two well-placed winners to force deuce.

A seventh double-fault by Eala gave a break point to Anisimova, and the American was quick to convert with a forehand winner for a pivotal 3-2 lead before powering her way to victory.

“Yeah, there was quite a bit of support for me tonight, so I really appreciate that because I know how loved Alex is, and for good reason,” Anisimova, the former world No. 3 who reached last year’s finals of the US Open and Wimbledon, said.

“But yeah, I really appreciated it because I felt like I needed a pick-me-up in this match because it’s past my bedtime.”

Anisimova admitted she was proud of how she turned the match around after dropping the opening set.

“I’m really proud of this performance, actually, for being able to find a way and kind of push myself there in the middle of the match. I’m really happy with the way I was able to find my tennis and start fighting,” Anisimova said, adding that beating the streaking Eala wasn’t easy.

“It was a really, really tough match, and credit to her, she was playing some great tennis, so really happy with this win.”

With the win, Anisimova gained the right to clash with world No. 8 Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic in the Round of 16 of this prestigious Women’s Tennis Association 1000 tournament.

For Eala, however, Cincinnati was her final stop before turning her attention to the US Open, which begins on 30 August in New York City.

While she failed to make another deep run, Eala said the quality of her tennis mattered more than the result as she prepares for the final Grand Slam of the year.

“I think it’s just the level that I play, and of course the more matches the merrier, right? But it’s the matches of substance, and it’s the ones that — did I execute what I want to execute? Did I bring the level that I wanted to bring?” Eala said.

“So, if I lose the first round but it’s a really good match, not to say that it’s a successful week, but it wasn’t a bad one. And if I reach the final, then I’ll take that, too.”

Eala’s lone victory in Cincinnati came against world No. 74 Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania, who retired in the second set after suffering a foot injury.

Still, the Filipina will pocket $47,375, or roughly P2.9 million, for reaching the Last 32. She is also set to rise to a new career-high No. 18 in the WTA ranking, boosting her morale and status ahead of the US Open.

Cincinnati Open tournament director Bob Moran admitted he was surprised by the overwhelming turnout for Eala in her tournament debut.

“Basically, at 8 o’clock, that line was already formed of Eala fans at the front gate. We didn’t open until 9:30 p.m., so they sat out there for an hour and a half just waiting, and as soon as those gates opened, it was a stream of fans to Court 3 to get the best seats possible,” Moran said.

“I haven’t seen anything like this. I really haven’t.”

Eala will have some time to rest before taking on double duties at the US Open.

Aside from her singles campaign, she is set to compete in the mixed doubles event alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada after receiving a wildcard.

She is also scheduled to face world No. 16 Iva Jovic of the United States in the Stars of the Open exhibition event on 27 August.