Alexandra Eala vs Mary Stoiana - Preview & Prediction - 2026 US Open

Alexandra Eala vs Mary Stoiana — full preview, head-to-head breakdown and prediction for their FIRST ROUND match at the 2026 US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York. History on one side of the net, a first Grand Slam main draw on the other.

Alex Eala arrives in New York as the HIGHEST-SEEDED FILIPINA IN GRAND SLAM HISTORY, seeded No. 17 after the summer that changed her career. She became the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA singles title at the DC Open in Washington — beating Qinwen Zheng, Leylah Fernandez, Elina Svitolina, Naomi Osaka and world No. 3 Jessica Pegula along the way — then backed it up with a run to the round of 16 in Toronto and a career-high ranking inside the world's top 20. Her section is steep from here: Iva Jovic potentially in round three, Coco Gauff in the round of 16, Mirra Andreeva in the quarters. But it starts here.

Mary Stoiana is the American qualifier standing in her way, and she has earned it the hard way. The 23-year-old from Southbury, Connecticut — a Texas A&M product with a career-high ranking of No. 173 — came through qualifying by beating Katie Swan and then edging Yue Yuan 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the final round. She has reached Q2 in Melbourne and Q3 in Paris this year; this is her breakthrough.

They have met once before, on the ITF circuit: Eala won 7-5, 6-2 at the W100 in Landisville, Pennsylvania in August 2024. Two years and a very different Alex Eala later, can Stoiana make it interesting on the biggest stage of her life?

🎾 IN THIS VIDEO

- What the No. 17 seeding actually means for Eala's draw

- Stoiana's game and how she got through qualifying

- The expectation and pressure that come with a maiden title

- Prediction, scoreline, and the road to the second week

📊 MATCH INFO

Tournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam)

Round: First Round — Women's Singles

Players: Alexandra Eala (PHI, 17th seed) vs Mary Stoiana (USA, qualifier)

Head-to-head: Eala leads 1-0 (W100 Landisville 2024, 7-5 6-2)

Surface: Outdoor Hard

Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York

💬 How far does Alex go in New York? Predictions in the comments.

👍 Like if you've followed Alex's run since Washington

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⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Predictions are opinion only and not betting advice. Not affiliated with the USTA, the WTA or the US Open.

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