{"id":2101859,"date":"2026-08-20T01:00:46","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T22:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2101859"},"modified":"2026-08-20T01:00:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T22:00:46","slug":"why-alex-ealas-rivals-face-an-even-tougher-challenge-heading-into-the-us-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2101859","title":{"rendered":"Why Alex Eala&#8217;s rivals face an even tougher challenge heading into the US Open"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"ps-article-content rounded-lg lg:mt-5 lg:border lg:border-card lg:bg-card lg:shadow-primary\">\n<header>\n<h1 class=\"py-4 text-xl font-normal text-title sm:text-2xl\">Why Alex Eala\u2019s rivals face an even tougher challenge heading into the US Open<\/h1>\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/author\/richie-mills\" class=\"text-sm font-normal !text-author\"><br \/>\n                            Richie Mills                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <time class=\"ml-3 text-sm font-normal text-info md:ml-4\" datetime=\"20 Aug 2026 2:00 AM\" data-ps-date=\"20 Aug 2026 2:00 AM\" data-ps-datetime=\"1787187646\"><br \/>\n                            20 Aug 2026 2:00 AM                        <\/time>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden justify-end space-x-4 text-xl sm:flex sm:!opacity-100\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img 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href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-features%2Fwhy-alex-ealas-rivals-face-tougher-challenge-us-open\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to linkedin\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/\/send\/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-features%2Fwhy-alex-ealas-rivals-face-tougher-challenge-us-open\" aria-label=\"Share to whatsapp\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-features%2Fwhy-alex-ealas-rivals-face-tougher-challenge-us-open\" aria-label=\"Share to flipboard\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sm:hidden flex items-center space-x-5\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <button id=\"t365-article-share-btn-hidden\" class=\"mr-2 hidden h-6 w-6 appearance-none border-none !text-share-icon outline-none hover:!text-share-icon-active sm:hidden\" data-title=\"Why Alex Eala\u2019s rivals face an even tougher challenge heading into the US Open\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5 border-b border-page\"><\/div>\n<section>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5\">\n<figure class=\"aspect-h-9 aspect-w-16 relative\">\n                                        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"742\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover object-center !my-0\" src=\"https:\/\/d2me2qg8dfiw8u.cloudfront.net\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3FA956X-1-1320x742.jpg\" alt=\"Pictured: Alex Eala in action\">                <\/figure><figcaption class=\"flex items-center space-x-3 border-b border-mobile-caption px-3 lg:border-caption\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-1.5 break-words !text-xs !text-content\">\n                                Alex Eala has an army of fans behind her                            <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"ciam-article-t365\"><!-- Article Start --><\/p>\n<p>Alex Eala is arguably the fastest-growing star in tennis right now, and if she continues to win every week, her fame is only likely to increase.<\/p>\n<p>Despite being in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/jessica-pegula\">Jessica Pegula<\/a>\u2018s home country, the Filipina\u2019s army of fans made the Washington Open final feel like downtown Manila.<\/p>\n<p>Following her three-set defeat earlier this month to the 21-year-old, the American said, \u201cJust to see how far you\u2019ve come over the last couple of years when we first played, to see the amazing fans that follow you every single place you go \u2013 it\u2019s not fun to play against, but I do appreciate the really fun atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In the Canadian Open, fans were clamouring to see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/alex-eala\">Eala<\/a> in action, and while Pegula found it difficult to deal with the crowd, Caty McNally felt it was a privilege to be part of.<\/p>\n<p>Following her three-set loss to Eala in Toronto, the left-hander revealed how the American thanked her for \u201cletting me be a part of this\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>More WTA Tour News<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/alex-eala-world-no-1-ranking-claim-serve-serena-williams-former-coach\">Alex Eala: Serena Williams\u2019 former coach issues world No 1 ranking statement<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-features\/f-players-over-tennis-legend-calls-huge-reform-iga-swiatek-elena-rybakina-farce\">ATP and WTA accused of making tennis stars \u2018suffer\u2019 after Swiatek and Rybakina farce<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Want more from Tennis365? Add us as<span>\u00a0<\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\">a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Eala was knocked out in the round of 32 in Cincinnati by former Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova in a three-set battle, but before then, former world No 1 women\u2019s doubles player, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/rennae-stubbs\">Rennae Stubbs<\/a>, imparted some advice to the 24-year-old.<\/p>\n<p>The Australian \u2013 who has likened the youngster\u2019s somewhat underpowered serve to fellow left-hander Angelique Kerber \u2013 said being able to cope with Eala\u2019s noisy fans was half the battle, in addition to her groundstrokes and the first shot after her serve.<\/p>\n<p>Serena Williams\u2019 coach said on <a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/pounding-chests\/id1393881115?i=1000783916303\" target=\"_blank\">The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast<\/a>, \u201cYou have to be mentally prepared to deal with the crowd. Not only Alex Eala\u2019s ability and talent to take the ball on and redirect the ball really well, much like Angie Kerber used to do.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf she allows Alex Eala to move around the court, she will lose.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Last month, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/wta-tour\/serena-williams-coach-explains-victoria-mboko-can-win-grand-slam-but-alex-eala-cannot\">Stubbs felt Eala\u2019s serve would prevent her from winning a Grand Slam<\/a>, a view she has since somewhat softened on. The four-time women\u2019s doubles major winner still thinks that delivery needs to improve but her opponents also have to work out how to deal with it better.<\/p>\n<p>She continued, \u201cI got into a little bit of trouble when I said I don\u2019t think she can win a major title because of the serve and I still stand by that to a certain degree.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese players have to figure out the <span>leftiness<\/span> of her serve. You have to go with the spin, you have to hit the correct shot and hit depth on the return. That\u2019s what\u2019s important. If you don\u2019t, Alex Eala will make you use on the serve plus one.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe has a very slow second serve, but that lefty helps.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As Eala\u2019s popularity skyrockets, her fans could get even more vocal and more widespread. Ergo, it could get tougher and tougher for her opponents to deal with it, something Pegula in particular struggled with.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WHAT NEXT? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/aryna-sabalenka-cincinnati-open-record-wta-tour\">Aryna Sabalenka tops the WTA Tour in one key area after latest victory<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- Article End --><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why Alex Eala\u2019s rivals face an even tougher challenge heading into the US Open Richie Mills 20 Aug 2026 2:00 AM Alex Eala has an army of fans behind her Alex Eala is arguably the fastest-growing star in tennis right now, and if she continues to win every week, her fame is only likely to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,249],"class_list":["post-2101859","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tennis365-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2101859","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2101859"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2101859\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2101859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2101859"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2101859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}