The waiting is over.
Alex Eala finally knows who she will face in the first round of the 2026 US Open women’s singles tournament.
And for Filipino tennis fans, this is where the real US Open campaign begins.
The World No. 18 Filipina will open against American qualifier Mary Stoiana, a 23-year-old former college tennis standout who battled through three rounds of qualifying to earn a place in her first US Open main draw.
The matchup was officially confirmed after Stoiana defeated China’s Yuan Yue in the final round of qualifying. The US Open itself now lists Stoiana against Eala in Round 1.
So after mixed doubles, Fan Week, practice sessions and the Stars of the Open exhibition, we finally have the match that matters most:
Alex Eala 🇵🇭 vs. Mary Stoiana 🇺🇸
And Alex enters it in a position we’ve never seen from a Filipina at a Grand Slam before.
She’s the No. 17 seed.
Let’s take a closer look at the latest Alex Eala update as of August 29, 2026, who Mary Stoiana is, how she reached the main draw and what could be waiting for Alex if she advances.
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Alex Eala’s First-Round Opponent Is Mary Stoiana
When the women’s singles draw was initially released, Eala’s opponent was simply listed as a qualifier.
We now have the name.
It’s Mary Stoiana of the United States.
The official US Open reported that Stoiana secured her place by defeating Yuan Yue in the final round of qualifying:
Stoiana def. Yuan, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
That was her third victory in qualifying.
Before Yuan, Stoiana defeated France’s Harmony Tan, 6-4, 6-3, and Britain’s Katie Swan, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3.
So while Alex is the clear favorite on paper based on ranking and seeding, this isn’t necessarily an easy opening match.
Stoiana has already won three matches in New York.
She’s comfortable with the courts.
She’s competed under pressure.
And she’s coming into the main draw with momentum.
Qualifiers can be dangerous for exactly those reasons.
Who Is Mary Stoiana?
If you haven’t heard much about Stoiana before, you’re probably not alone.
She’s still relatively new to the highest level of professional tennis.
But her background is interesting.
Stoiana is 23 years old and enters the US Open ranked around World No. 122. This will be her first appearance in the US Open women’s singles main draw.
Before establishing herself on the professional circuit, she became one of the top players in American college tennis.
Stoiana played for Texas A&M and helped the university capture its first NCAA women’s team championship in 2024.
She was also named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and earned major individual honors during her collegiate career.
So this isn’t some completely unknown player who suddenly appeared in qualifying.
Stoiana has been building toward this opportunity for several years.
Stoiana Had an Excellent College Career
This is probably the part of Stoiana’s background Filipino fans should know about.
Before turning her attention fully toward professional tennis, she was one of the strongest collegiate players in the United States.
She reportedly compiled a 138-20 singles record during her college career and was named ITA National Player of the Year in 2024. She was also a two-time SEC Player of the Year.
Those numbers don’t automatically translate to success on the WTA Tour.
Professional tennis is another level entirely.
But they tell you something about the kind of competitor Alex is facing.
Stoiana knows how to win.
And now she’s starting to make progress professionally too.
She Has Already Won ITF Titles
Stoiana has also collected three ITF singles championships.
Her titles came in Edmond in 2024, followed by Austin and Chihuahua in 2025.
She’s also begun producing results at WTA 125 level, reaching semifinals in Midland and Ilkley this year.
Now comes the biggest opportunity of her professional career.
Her first US Open main-draw match.
Against Alex Eala.
Alex and Stoiana Have Actually Played Before
Here’s where the matchup gets even more interesting.
This won’t be their first meeting.
Alex Eala and Mary Stoiana previously faced each other at an ITF W100 tournament in Landisville, Pennsylvania, in August 2024.
Alex won:
Eala def. Stoiana, 7-5, 6-2.
So the head-to-head currently favors Eala:
Alex Eala leads Mary Stoiana, 1-0.
Obviously, plenty has changed in two years.
Alex is now a completely different player.
She’s World No. 18.
She’s a WTA champion.
She’s reached the second week of a Grand Slam.
But Stoiana has improved too.
She’s moved from college tennis into the professional game and has now successfully qualified for a Grand Slam.
Still, having beaten your opponent before is rarely a bad thing.
Alex Enters as the No. 17 Seed
This is another major storyline.
Eala has been installed as the No. 17 seed at the US Open — the highest Grand Slam seeding of her career and the highest ever for a Filipina.
Remember the distinction:
WTA ranking: World No. 18
US Open seed: No. 17
Both numbers are correct.
Her seeding improved because of changes to the tournament entry list.
And being No. 17 has real consequences for Alex’s draw.
It means she avoids another seeded player in the first two rounds.
That’s a pretty good position to be in.
What Alex’s World No. 18 Ranking Means
It’s easy to forget how remarkable this number is becoming because Alex seems to set another ranking record every few weeks.
But World No. 18 is enormous for Philippine tennis.
Eala is now the highest-ranked Filipino singles player in history and the highest-ranked Southeast Asian women’s singles player in WTA history. Reuters highlighted the milestone this week while discussing her growing popularity ahead of the US Open.
We’re not talking about Alex simply sneaking into the Top 100 anymore.
She’s Top 20.
She’s seeded at Grand Slams.
And she’s entering tournaments with a realistic expectation of winning multiple rounds.
That is a completely different stage of her career.
Alex Is No Longer the Underdog
This is something else Filipino fans will have to get used to.
Alex won’t always be the underdog anymore.
Against Stoiana, she enters as the higher-ranked and seeded player.
That changes the psychology.
When Alex was climbing the rankings, she could often step onto court against a bigger name with very little to lose.
Now the pressure can work in the opposite direction.
Stoiana is the qualifier.
She’s making her US Open main-draw debut.
She can swing freely.
Alex is the No. 17 seed.
She’s expected to win.
Learning to handle that expectation is another part of becoming an elite player.
But Alex Has Plenty of Reasons to Be Confident
If Eala needs evidence that she belongs at this level, she doesn’t have to look very far.
Her 2026 season has been extraordinary.
She reached the semifinals in Auckland and Berlin.
She made quarterfinal runs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
She reached the fourth round of Wimbledon, her best Grand Slam performance so far.
And then she won Washington.
The official US Open has described Eala’s rise over the past 12 months as a jump from the Top 100 into the Top 20 and from breakout player into one of the sport’s recognizable young stars.
This isn’t a player hoping she can compete at this level anymore.
She knows she can.
Alex’s Washington Championship Changed Expectations
Washington remains the biggest reason expectations are so high heading into New York.
Eala captured her first WTA Tour singles title there after beating a ridiculous collection of opponents.
Zheng Qinwen.
Leylah Fernandez.
Elina Svitolina.
Naomi Osaka.
Jessica Pegula.
That run didn’t just give Alex a trophy.
It changed how the tennis world looks at her.
You don’t beat that many elite players in one tournament by accident.
And Reuters now lists Eala among the players capable of making noise in what looks like a particularly open women’s field at this year’s US Open.
Alex Says Her Belief Has Been Building
One of the more interesting things Alex has discussed ahead of the tournament is confidence.
Speaking to the US Open, Eala described having a steady foundation of belief in what she can do, even if confidence naturally rises and falls during a season.
That feels particularly relevant now.
Alex isn’t arriving at Flushing Meadows wondering whether she can beat Top 20 players.
She is one.
She isn’t wondering whether she can win a WTA tournament.
She’s already done it.
She isn’t wondering whether she can reach the second week of a Grand Slam.
She did that at Wimbledon.
The next challenge is doing it consistently.
Don’t Forget What Alex Did Here Last Year
The US Open already holds a special place in Eala’s career.
In 2025, she defeated No. 14 seed Clara Tauson in the first round.
That victory made Alex the first Filipino player in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam main-draw singles match.
And the way she did it was unforgettable.
Alex had to come from behind in the deciding set before completing the upset.
She eventually reached the second round.
At the time, that felt enormous.
Now, just one year later, Alex is arriving as the seeded player.
That’s how quickly things have changed.
And New York Goes Even Further Back for Alex
Of course, Alex’s relationship with the US Open didn’t begin in 2025.
It began much earlier.
In 2022, Eala won the US Open girls’ singles championship, becoming the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam singles title.
So Flushing Meadows has been part of her story for years.
Junior champion in 2022.
Historic Grand Slam main-draw winner in 2025.
No. 17 seed in 2026.
There’s a pretty nice progression there.
Alex’s Latest Match Was Against Iva Jovic — But It Didn’t Count
Before the main tournament, Alex played close friend Iva Jovic at the Stars of the Open exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Jovic won the one-set match:
Jovic def. Eala, 6-3.
Alex fell behind 0-2, battled back to 3-3, but Jovic took the final three games.
The result doesn’t count toward Alex’s WTA record.
It doesn’t affect her ranking.
And it doesn’t affect her US Open tournament status.
This was an exhibition.
Still, it gave Alex something valuable:
Court time at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Alex Finally Got to Play on Arthur Ashe Stadium
This was actually a special moment.
Eala had never previously played on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
After the exhibition, she spoke about remembering her junior days at the US Open and wondering when she might finally get the chance to play on the tournament’s biggest court.
Now she has.
And she got to share the experience with one of her closest friends on tour.
That’s not a bad final tune-up before the serious tennis begins.
The Exhibition Also Produced a Great Family Moment
Alex and Iva also had a little fun during the exhibition.
Their fathers were brought onto the court for a brief doubles segment.
It was exactly what Fan Week is supposed to be.
Relaxed.
Entertaining.
Different from the pressure of a normal tour match.
And that’s probably useful before a Grand Slam.
Because starting with Stoiana, the mood changes completely.
No more exhibition.
No more fun points with their dads.
Every game counts.
Alex’s Mixed Doubles Campaign Is Already Finished
For anyone just joining Alex’s US Open journey, she has already competed in one official event in New York.
She partnered Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime in mixed doubles.
They faced Elina Svitolina and Gaël Monfils in the first round and lost:
Svitolina/Monfils def. Eala/Auger-Aliassime, 4-1, 4-1.
That ended Alex’s mixed doubles tournament.
But mixed doubles and women’s singles are completely separate events.
So Alex’s main US Open campaign is only beginning now.
What Happens If Alex Beats Mary Stoiana?
This is where the draw becomes interesting.
If Eala wins her first-round match, she advances to face the winner of the neighboring first-round match.
The exact updated bracket should always be checked before projecting too far because qualifier placements and draw updates can alter the names around a player’s section.
But the important point is that, as the No. 17 seed, Alex is protected from meeting another seed in Round 2.
That gives her a genuine opportunity to work her way into the tournament.
Of course, Grand Slams rarely go exactly according to seed.
That’s why Round 1 comes first.
Iva Jovic Could Be Waiting Later
One name to keep an eye on deeper in Alex’s section is Iva Jovic.
Yes.
The same Iva Jovic who just beat Alex in the Stars of the Open exhibition.
Jovic is the No. 14 seed.
If the draw plays out a certain way and both players keep winning, the close friends could potentially meet again in an official US Open match.
And that would be completely different.
No joking around.
No dads on court.
No exhibition atmosphere.
Just two Top 20 players trying to survive a Grand Slam.
Jovic Has Been Difficult for Alex
There would also be a competitive storyline there.
Jovic has beaten Eala in their two previous official singles meetings, and she just won their exhibition at Arthur Ashe as well. The official US Open noted before Stars of the Open that Jovic held a 2-0 advantage in their competitive head-to-head.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Neither Alex nor Iva is guaranteed to reach that potential matchup.
For Eala, Mary Stoiana comes first.
Why Stoiana Could Be Dangerous
On paper, Alex has the advantage.
World No. 18 against World No. 122.
No. 17 seed against qualifier.
Established WTA champion against Grand Slam main-draw debutant.
But tennis doesn’t work that neatly.
Stoiana has already won three matches at Flushing Meadows.
She has nothing to lose.
And she will have the benefit of a home crowd as an American playing in New York.
That combination can be dangerous.
Alex needs to treat this like exactly what it is:
A Grand Slam first round.
Alex Has Something Stoiana Doesn’t
Experience at this level.
Alex has already been through this.
She’s played Grand Slam main draws.
She’s won Grand Slam matches.
She’s reached the second week at Wimbledon.
She’s beaten Grand Slam champions.
She’s played in packed stadiums.
She’s handled the pressure of trying to close out a WTA championship.
Stoiana hasn’t experienced all of those situations yet.
If the match becomes tight, that experience could matter.
Alex’s Fans Could Neutralize the Home-Court Advantage
There’s also an interesting twist to Stoiana being American.
Normally, an American playing a non-American at the US Open should have a clear crowd advantage.
Against Alex Eala?
Maybe not.
Alex’s following has become one of the major stories surrounding her arrival in New York.
Former World No. 4 Mary Joe Fernandez told Reuters that the support Eala receives at matches and even practice sessions has become extraordinary. Patrick McEnroe went as far as saying organizers should make sure Alex gets placed on bigger courts because of the crowds she attracts.
The Filipino-American community in the New York area is enormous.
Don’t be surprised if Philippine flags are everywhere when Alex plays.
Alex Is Becoming One of the US Open’s Attractions
This is perhaps one of the biggest differences between Eala’s 2025 and 2026 appearances.
Last year, Alex was the exciting Filipino underdog.
This year, she’s becoming an attraction.
The US Open itself has repeatedly featured her in its pre-tournament coverage and recently named her among the women poised to make an impact at this year’s tournament.
That’s another indication of how quickly her profile has changed.
And now she needs to back it up on court.
What Alex Needs to Do Against Stoiana
The first priority should be simple.
Don’t allow Stoiana to settle.
Qualifiers often enter Grand Slam main draws with confidence because they’ve already been playing competitive tennis all week.
Alex should try to establish immediately that this is a different level of opponent.
Attack the return.
Use the left-handed angles.
Take time away from Stoiana.
Make her defend.
And perhaps most importantly, don’t allow the pressure of being the favorite to make the match more complicated than it needs to be.
Alex doesn’t need to produce spectacular tennis from the opening point.
She needs to produce smart tennis.
Alex Eala vs. Mary Stoiana: Match Details
Here’s what we can confirm as of August 29, 2026:
Tournament: 2026 US Open
Event: Women’s Singles
Round: First Round
Alex Eala ranking: World No. 18
Alex Eala seed: No. 17
Opponent: Mary Stoiana 🇺🇸
Stoiana ranking: Around World No. 122
Stoiana entry: Qualifier
Head-to-head: Eala leads 1-0
Previous meeting: Eala won 7-5, 6-2 in Landisville in 2024
Stoiana’s final qualifying result: Defeated Yuan Yue, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
The women’s singles main draw begins Sunday, August 30, New York time. As of this update, I would wait for the official order of play before treating a specific court and start time as confirmed.
Latest Alex Eala Status
Here’s the bigger picture heading into Round 1.
WTA ranking: No. 18 — career high
US Open seed: No. 17 — highest Grand Slam seeding of her career
First-round opponent: Mary Stoiana
Latest competitive US Open result: Mixed doubles first-round loss with Félix Auger-Aliassime
Latest appearance: Lost 6-3 to Iva Jovic at Stars of the Open — exhibition only
Best Grand Slam result: Wimbledon fourth round, 2026
Previous US Open result: Second round, 2025
US Open junior history: Girls’ singles champion, 2022
And perhaps most importantly:
Alex’s women’s singles campaign hasn’t started yet.
Everything begins against Stoiana.
Why This US Open Feels Different
There has probably never been this much expectation surrounding a Filipino tennis player entering a Grand Slam.
And that’s because Alex’s circumstances are completely different now.
She isn’t trying to prove that a Filipina can compete at Grand Slam level.
She already proved that.
She isn’t trying to prove she can beat Top 10 players.
She’s done that repeatedly.
She isn’t trying to prove she can reach the second week of a major.
She did it at Wimbledon.
She isn’t even trying to prove she can win a WTA title anymore.
Washington took care of that.
Now the question is consistency.
Can Alex Eala produce those results again?
Can she handle being seeded?
Can she win matches when she’s expected to win?
Can she make another Grand Slam run?
That’s the challenge in New York.
Final Thoughts
We finally have the name.
Mary Stoiana.
That’s the player standing between Alex Eala and the second round of the 2026 US Open.
Stoiana shouldn’t be underestimated.
She’s a former college tennis star.
She’s already won three qualifying matches in New York.
She’s playing her first US Open main draw.
And as an American, she’ll have plenty of support.
But Alex arrives with something entirely different.
Experience.
Confidence.
A WTA championship.
A Wimbledon fourth-round appearance.
A career-high World No. 18 ranking.
And the highest Grand Slam seeding ever achieved by a Filipina.
The exhibition is finished.
Mixed doubles is finished.
The qualifying draw is finished.
There’s nothing left to wait for.
No. 17 seed Alex Eala vs. qualifier Mary Stoiana.
Now the real US Open begins.
