AMERICAN tennis star Amanda Anisimova expressed excitement ahead of her first career meeting with Filipina Alexandra Eala in the third round of the Cincinnati Open on Monday.
The world No. 10 Anisimova acknowledged Eala’s impressive season and expects a lively atmosphere when they take the court.
“I haven’t played [Eala] her before. She’s been having such an incredible season, incredible year. Very great player with a lot of fans,” Anisimova said in a post-game interview.
“I’m really looking forward to that. I know that it’s probably gonna be a very packed stadium. I’m sure it will be really fun,” she added.
The matchup comes after Eala advanced to the third round when Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse retired because of injury while trailing the Filipina, 6-1, 3-0.
Eala, seeded No. 17 in Cincinnati, had dominated the match before the retirement, winning nine straight games after Ruse briefly led the opening set at 1-0.
The 21-year-old Filipina enters the tournament coming off her title run at the Mubadala DC Open and continued with her Round of 16 finish at the National Bank Open in Toronto.
Anisimova, meanwhile, is one of the highest-ranked players remaining in Eala’s path and will provide another major test for the Filipina in the WTA 1000 event. (Adrian Co)
