Alexandra Eala Defeats Stoiana 6-1, 6-2 at US Open; Forbes Eyes $5M+ Earnings

Alexandra Eala dominated American qualifier Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2 in Louis Armstrong Stadium on Tuesday night to reach the US Open second round for the second consecutive year. The 21-year-old Philippine tennis star, seeded 17th, converted four of eight break points while saving all six break-point chances against her. Forbes reports Eala has already earned more than $5 million in off-court endorsements and could become the world’s second-highest-paid female athlete by 2027, behind only Coco Gauff.

Dominant first-round display at the US Open

Eala stormed to a 5-0 lead in the opening set against Stoiana, who was making her Grand Slam main-draw debut. She saved two break points in the opening game and closed the first set 6-1 in 38 minutes. In the second set, Eala faced break points again in her first two service games but saved both, then broke for a 3-2 lead and never surrendered. The match lasted 1 hour, 17 minutes. Stoiana failed to convert any of her six break-point opportunities, a critical stat that defined the match.

Massive fan following transforms the tournament atmosphere

Eala’s supporters packed Louis Armstrong Stadium and even filled the practice courts four hours before her match, many without tickets. Fans waved Philippine flags, wore “Laban Alex” hats, and documented her every shot. Eala thanked the crowd in her on-court interview, saying the fans made it “such a pleasure to do my job.” Chair umpire Marijana Veljovic had to warn the crowd once to keep voices down during an intense rally, though the atmosphere remained relatively muted compared to earlier matches.

Forbes projects $5M+ earnings and elite athlete status

According to Forbes, Eala has already earned more than $5 million in off-court earnings before taxes and fees. Max Eisenbud, head of client representation at WME Sports and IMG Tennis, told Forbes he is “very confident that by 2027, she will be the second-highest-paid female athlete in the world, behind Coco Gauff.” Prior to the US Open, Eala had earned $3,045,990 in career prize money, with more than half coming in 2026 alone. She holds endorsement deals with Nike, Globe Telecom, and Bank of the Philippine Islands.

Rising star navigates pressure and maintains financial discipline

Eala has won nine of her past 11 matches on hard courts since Wimbledon, where she reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time. She won the DC Open title in Washington in summer 2026, becoming the first Philippine-born player to win a professional tennis title, an achievement that prompted the Philippine president to host a reception in her honor. Despite her rapid ascent, Eala has stated she saves aggressively and makes deliberate financial decisions. She now ranks World No. 18 on the WTA, the highest-ranked Southeast Asian player. Her next opponent is Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova, who leads their head-to-head 1-0 after a three-set win in Strasbourg earlier this year.

Final Thoughts

Eala’s US Open run showcases both her elite tennis ability and unprecedented commercial appeal for a Southeast Asian player. With Forbes projecting second-highest-paid female athlete status by 2027 and her fan base driving record tournament atmospheres, her trajectory rivals any emerging sports star globally.

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