TENNIS

Washington whuppin’

Eala knocks crown off Fernandez’s head

Ivan Suing · Jul 31, 2026, 4:04 AM

There seems to be no stopping Alex Eala from making more heads turn in the Washington Open where she beat defending champion Leylah Fernandez in straight sets. — PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Washington Open/IG

Alex Eala looked like she was playing in front of a mirror when she faced Leylah Fernandez in the Round of 16 of the Washington Open.

Eala, 21, said going up against another left-handed player like Fernandez presented a different challenge, as she was unable to rely on the same patterns she typically uses against right-handed opponents.

In the end, Eala swept past the Filipino-Canadian netter, 6-2, 7-6, at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C.

“Wow, I didn’t know that. I don’t think it necessarily makes it more difficult or less difficult,” Eala said in an interview with Tennis Channel.

“I think each player has their own specific qualities that make them difficult to play against. Although playing a lefty is different, it’s just another thing that you have to consider. I think it’s just a unique characteristic of that opponent.”

Fernandez is the first left-handed player Eala has defeated since turning professional in 2020.

Eala had to dig deep once again in the prestigious Women’s Tennis Association tournament after trailing 1-5 in the second set.

“I think I had some tough moments in that match, and credit to Leylah. She put me in some really tough situations.”

“Everything’s kind of a blur right now. I really made an effort to stay in the moment, and I was ready for anything that could have happened.”

“And luckily — well, it wasn’t a lot of luck — but luckily it went my way.”

Eala will face the winner between world No. 108 Polina Kudermetova of Uzbekistan and world No. 10 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, who were still playing as of press time.

With Svitolina favored to win the matchup, fans are anticipating a rematch after Eala upset the 31-year-old Ukrainian in the quarterfinals of the Berlin Tennis Open in Germany.

Should Kudermetova pull off the upset, Eala will be eager for another shot after losing to her twice in 2024 at the W50 Indore in India and the W100 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The Washington Open is part of Eala’s North American hard-court campaign as she prepares for the US Open in New York City, which begins on 30 August.