alex eala us open 2026 schedule details are now confirmed, with the Filipino star set to begin her women’s singles campaign against American qualifier Mary Stoiana at the U.S. Open in New York. Eala enters the tournament as the No. 17 seed, the highest Grand Slam seeding of her career, and will play her opening match on Tuesday, September 1, at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The 2026 U.S. Open marks another major moment in Eala’s rapidly developing career. She returns to Flushing Meadows after making the second round in 2025 and arrives with a career-high ranking of No. 18.
Her first-round opponent is Stoiana, a 23-year-old American who earned her place in the main draw through qualifying. Stoiana is ranked No. 122 and won three qualifying matches to reach the 128-player women’s singles field.
When is Alex Eala playing at the 2026 U.S. Open?
Eala’s first-round singles match is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.
She will face Mary Stoiana in the evening session at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The published order of play lists Adolfo Daniel Vallejo against Gael Monfils first in the session, followed by Stoiana against Eala. Because the match follows another contest, the exact start time can shift depending on how long the preceding match lasts.
For U.S. viewers, the key schedule details are:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | 2026 U.S. Open |
| Event | Women’s singles |
| Round | First round |
| Date | Tuesday, September 1, 2026 |
| Matchup | Mary Stoiana vs. No. 17 Alex Eala |
| Stadium | Louis Armstrong Stadium |
| Location | Flushing Meadows, New York |
| Session | Evening session |
| Match position | After Adolfo Daniel Vallejo vs. Gael Monfils |
The Philippine date is already September 2 when the match takes place in New York, which explains why some Philippine reports list the contest as a September 2 match. GMA News lists an estimated Philippine start around 8:40 a.m., depending on the completion of the match before it.
Alex Eala’s first-round opponent Mary Stoiana
Mary Stoiana enters the U.S. Open main draw after coming through qualifying. Her path included three victories, allowing her to earn a place in the women’s singles field.
The American is currently ranked No. 122, while Eala enters the tournament at No. 18 in the world. That ranking difference makes Eala the higher-ranked player and the No. 17 seed.
Eala and Stoiana have previously met once in professional competition. Their only recorded meeting came in 2024 at the Landisville tournament, where Eala won 7-5, 6-2.
That previous result gives Eala some familiarity with her opponent, but the circumstances are different in New York. This will be a Grand Slam main-draw match, with the pressure and atmosphere of a major tournament adding another layer to the contest.
Stoiana also arrives with recent qualifying momentum. She won three matches to reach the main draw, meaning she has already adjusted to the courts and conditions in New York.
Why Eala’s 2026 U.S. Open seeding matters
Eala’s No. 17 seeding represents a major milestone.
The WTA listed her at a career-high No. 18 entering the tournament, while the U.S. Open draw places her at No. 17 among the women’s singles seeds. She is also the highest-seeded Filipina player in Grand Slam history.
That position reflects the progress Eala has made over the past year.
At the 2025 U.S. Open, she was outside the group of top seeds and had to fight her way through a difficult opening match against Clara Tauson. Eala recovered from a 5-1 deficit in the deciding set to defeat the then-No. 14 seed and record the first Grand Slam main-draw singles victory by a Filipino player in the Open Era.
One year later, her circumstances are dramatically different.
She arrives in New York as a seeded player with a protected position in the draw and much greater attention surrounding her campaign.
Eala enters New York after a breakthrough season
The 2026 season has produced several important milestones for Eala.
Her biggest breakthrough came earlier this month in Washington, D.C., where she captured her first WTA singles title. She defeated Jessica Pegula in the final to become the first Filipina player to win a WTA singles tournament.
That victory helped push Eala further up the rankings and strengthened her position heading into the final Grand Slam of the season.
Her 2026 season has also included strong performances at major tournaments. She reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, which became her deepest Grand Slam singles run to date. During that Wimbledon campaign, she defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek.
Eala also reached the semifinals in Berlin and Auckland and made quarterfinal appearances in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Those results helped establish her as a consistent presence among the leading players on the WTA Tour.
What happened to Eala before the singles draw?
Eala has already appeared at the 2026 U.S. Open site before beginning her singles campaign.
She teamed with Felix Auger-Aliassime in mixed doubles. The pair faced Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils and lost 4-1, 4-1 in the opening round.
Eala also participated in the Stars of the Open exhibition during Fan Week. She faced American teenager Iva Jovic in Arthur Ashe Stadium and lost the one-set exhibition match 6-3.
Those appearances gave Eala additional time on the tournament grounds before her first-round singles match.
She also practiced with Naomi Osaka ahead of her singles opener. The session attracted attention from fans in New York as anticipation around Eala’s return continued to grow.
Eala’s history at the U.S. Open
Flushing Meadows holds particular importance in Eala’s career.
She won the U.S. Open girls’ singles championship in 2022, becoming the first Filipino player to win a junior Grand Slam singles title.
Her breakthrough continued when she returned for the senior tournament in 2025.
Against Clara Tauson, Eala produced one of the most memorable comebacks of that tournament. She recovered from 5-1 down in the third set and completed the victory in front of a packed Grandstand crowd.
The match became the first Grand Slam main-draw singles win by a Filipino player in the Open Era.
Eala went on to reach the second round in 2025.
Her return in 2026 therefore carries a different expectation. She is no longer simply an emerging player looking for a breakthrough. She arrives as a seeded competitor with a WTA title and a career-high ranking.
Where does Eala sit in the 2026 U.S. Open draw?
Eala’s position as the No. 17 seed places her in the lower half of the women’s singles draw.
The tournament draw includes the leading players in the world, including top seed Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff. Eala is positioned among the seeded players and will begin her campaign against Stoiana rather than another seeded opponent.
The first priority is therefore straightforward: win the opening match.
A victory would send Eala into the second round and continue her attempt to improve on last year’s performance in New York.
The official 2026 women’s singles schedule has the first round spread across August 30 through September 1. The second round follows on September 2 and 3, with the tournament continuing through the women’s singles final on September 12.
How to follow Alex Eala’s match in the U.S.
For fans in the United States, Eala’s opening match will take place in New York on Tuesday evening.
The match is scheduled for Louis Armstrong Stadium after Vallejo’s match against Monfils. Since Eala’s contest is not the first match of the session, viewers should expect the start time to depend on the length of the preceding match.
The U.S. Open’s official website provides live scores, tournament news, player information and match coverage throughout the event.
Fans following the match should therefore check the live order of play close to the session for the most accurate start estimate.
What is at stake for Eala in New York?
The opening match is important for more than simply reaching the second round.
Eala is competing at her highest Grand Slam seeding to date. A strong result would add another significant chapter to a season that has already included her first WTA title and deepest Grand Slam run.
Her rise has also made her one of the most closely followed players at this year’s tournament.
The official U.S. Open described her as having moved from a Top 100 player to the Top 20 within roughly 12 months. Her growing popularity has been especially visible in New York, where Filipino supporters have turned out in large numbers for her matches and appearances.
That support is expected to make the atmosphere around her first-round match particularly noticeable.
Eala has also spoken about maintaining a strong belief in her game while continuing to improve. Her current position reflects a player who has already achieved several historic milestones but remains focused on competing against the world’s best.
Alex Eala’s 2026 U.S. Open schedule at a glance
The most important confirmed details are simple for U.S. fans to follow:
- First-round opponent: Mary Stoiana
- Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
- Venue: Louis Armstrong Stadium
- Session: Evening
- Match order: After Adolfo Daniel Vallejo vs. Gael Monfils
- Eala’s seed: No. 17
- Current ranking entering the tournament: No. 18
- Previous U.S. Open result: Second round in 2025
- 2026 WTA singles title: Washington, D.C.
- 2026 best Grand Slam result: Wimbledon fourth round
These details represent the latest confirmed information available as the 2026 U.S. Open gets underway.
What comes next for Eala
Everything now centers on the first-round meeting with Stoiana.
Eala enters with considerably more experience than she had at the same tournament one year ago. She also has the confidence of a WTA champion, the benefit of a higher ranking and the protection that comes with being a seeded player.
At the same time, Stoiana will enter with qualifying momentum and the opportunity to challenge one of the tournament’s rising stars.
For Eala, the immediate objective is clear. She needs to handle the occasion, execute her game and secure a place in the second round.
Her U.S. Open story has already produced historic moments. The 2026 edition gives her another opportunity to add to that record.
Follow Eala’s first-round match closely as the No. 17 seed begins her latest U.S. Open campaign, and share your predictions for how far she can go in New York.