Alexandra Eala‘s impressive run at the 2026 Canadian Open came to an abrupt halt in the Round of 16, where she was defeated by Belinda Bencic in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0. The 12th-seeded Swiss player effectively ended Eala’s seven-match winning streak, showcasing a dominant performance in Toronto on Sunday.
Belinda Bencic Shuts the Door on Alex Eala in Straight Sets
The match began with Eala applying pressure early, even breaking Bencic’s serve in the opening set. However, Bencic quickly regained control, capitalizing on her first-serve efficiency to close out the set 6-4. She won 67% of her first-serve points in the opener compared to Eala’s 53%, a gap that only widened as the match progressed.
In the second set, Bencic seized the momentum by breaking Eala’s serve right away, then secured another break in the third game to surge ahead 3-0. The Swiss player maintained her dominance to close the match in just 1 hour and 13 minutes, delivering a comprehensive victory over the young Filipina.
Alexandra Eala Charts Tough Path Through 2026 Canadian Open
Before facing Bencic, Alexandra Eala had built considerable momentum at the Canadian Open. Coming off her first WTA title win at the Washington DC Open just days prior, she entered Toronto with confidence. After receiving a first-round bye, Eala secured a hard-fought victory against Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, followed by a close three-set win over Caty McNally, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
These wins extended her longest winning streak of the season to seven matches at the tournament, underscoring her rising trajectory in the professional circuit before her encounter with Bencic.