No. 17 seed Eala improved to 8-1 during the North American hardcourt swing when Elena-Gabriela Ruse retired with an ankle injury while trailing 6-1, 3-0 in the Round of 64 at the WTA Cincinnati Open in Ohio, USA held around midnight Philippine time of Saturday, August 15, 2026.
“I think that I was playing well, I think I felt the ball good, was really focused and tried to keep myself in the zone, I think I did a good job of that,” Eala told the media. “Of course, nobody likes to finish a match with a retirement, first and foremost, I just want to wish Gabriela-Ruse a speedy recovery, injuries aren’t fun, so I hope she recovers soon.”
The Filipina has won eight of her past nine matches. She captured her first WTA singles title in Washington before reaching the fourth round of the National Bank Open in Toronto. This marks her first career win in Cincinnati.
