Alex Eala vs Oleksandra Oliynykova: US Open Rematch on Louis Armstrong
Alex Eala vs Oleksandra Oliynykova brings a compelling rematch to Louis Armstrong Stadium as the two players battle for a place in the third round of the 2026 US Open.
Oliynykova won their first encounter in a dramatic three-set match on clay earlier this season. Eala now has an opportunity to reverse that result on the hard courts of New York—and achieve her best US Open performance in the process.
The match is scheduled second on Louis Armstrong Stadium on Thursday, September 3, following the 11:00 a.m. meeting between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Karen Khachanov.
Alex Eala vs Oleksandra Oliynykova: Match Information
- Tournament: 2026 US Open
- Round: Women’s singles second round
- Court: Louis Armstrong Stadium
- Date: Thursday, September 3
- Order: Second match after Auger-Aliassime vs Khachanov
- New York: Expected during the afternoon
- France: Expected Thursday evening
- Philippines: Expected late Thursday night or early Friday morning
Because the match follows another contest, it does not have a guaranteed start time. Viewers should monitor the completion of Auger-Aliassime–Khachanov rather than relying on a precise estimate.
Eala Arrives After a Commanding Opening Victory
Eala began her US Open campaign with an emphatic 6–1, 6–2 victory over American qualifier Mary Stoiana.
The No. 17 seed faced two break points in the opening game but immediately demonstrated the composure that would define her performance. After surviving that early test, she raced to a 5–0 lead and closed the first set comfortably.
Stoiana continued to create opportunities on Eala’s serve, particularly during the opening stages of the second set. However, the Filipina saved all six break points she faced throughout the match.
Eala converted four of her eight opportunities and completed the victory in one hour and 17 minutes.
“I’m very happy with my level today,” Eala said following the match. “It’s never easy, especially in the first round of a tournament—of the US Open nonetheless.”
The result continued Eala’s productive North American hard-court campaign. According to the WTA, she has won nine of her past 11 hard-court matches since reaching the Wimbledon fourth round, with her title-winning run in Washington among the highlights.
Oliynykova Sets Up Another Meeting With Eala
Oliynykova booked her second-round place by defeating American wildcard Reese Brantmeier 6–4, 6–4.
The Ukrainian enters the match without the benefit of a seeding, but Eala already knows how dangerous she can be.
Their first meeting took place at the Strasbourg WTA 500 in May. Eala captured the opening set before Oliynykova recovered to win 3–6, 7–5, 6–3 after two hours and 52 minutes.
The match featured frequent momentum swings and no shortage of opportunities. Eala converted six of nine break points but had to defend 23 break opportunities on her own serve.
She recovered from 0–4 and 0–40 in the second set to level at 5–5, only for Oliynykova to take the final two games. Eala then moved ahead 3–2 in the deciding set before the Ukrainian swept the final four games.
That result gives Oliynykova a 1–0 advantage in their head-to-head, but the conditions in New York create a different contest.
Why the Surface Could Change the Rematch
Their Strasbourg encounter was played on clay, a surface that gave Oliynykova more time to vary the height, speed and direction of her shots.
Her ability to disrupt Eala’s rhythm was one of the defining features of that match. Oliynykova mixed looping defensive balls with slices, changes of pace and occasional bursts of aggression, preventing Eala from consistently controlling the exchanges.
The faster New York hard court may better reward Eala’s flatter groundstrokes and willingness to attack early.
Eala will still need patience. Attempting to end points too quickly could allow Oliynykova’s changes of pace to become effective again. The challenge will be to play aggressively without being drawn into unnecessary errors.
The Keys to an Eala Victory
Protect the second serve
Eala won only 43.2% of her second-serve points in Strasbourg and faced 23 break points. Oliynykova will almost certainly test that area again.
Eala’s perfect six-for-six break-point defense against Stoiana was encouraging, but continually playing under pressure would make this rematch far more difficult.
Take control of the court
Eala enjoyed her best moments in Strasbourg when she moved forward and prevented Oliynykova from extending rallies with high, defensive shots.
The hard-court conditions should give Eala more opportunities to step inside the baseline, take the ball early and dictate with her forehand.
Avoid another late momentum swing
Eala led by a set in Strasbourg and moved ahead 3–2 in the decider, but Oliynykova won the final four games.
Closing decisively will be essential if Eala establishes another advantage. Oliynykova has already demonstrated that she can remain dangerous even after long periods under pressure.
Manage the occasion
Eala played her first-round match in front of a packed and vocal Louis Armstrong crowd. The experience should help her manage another high-profile appearance at the same stadium.
Filipino support is again expected to make the atmosphere feel closer to a home match, but Eala must turn that energy into focus rather than allow the occasion to rush her.
A Chance to Set a New US Open Record
Eala reached the US Open second round last season. Defeating Oliynykova would therefore take her into the tournament’s third round for the first time and establish a new career-best result in New York.
It would also continue a breakthrough Grand Slam season in which she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon.
The winner will face either No. 14 seed Iva Jovic or Francesca Jones in the third round. That possible matchup remains conditional, but the section of the draw offers Eala a genuine opportunity if she can first solve the Oliynykova problem.
The rematch is not simply about avenging Strasbourg. It is another test of how quickly Eala is learning, developing and adapting as an established seeded player on the WTA Tour.
A few months ago, Oliynykova found the answers after nearly three hours on clay. On Louis Armstrong Stadium, Eala gets the opportunity to provide a different ending.
Can Alex Eala turn the tables and reach the US Open third round for the first time?
Sources: Official US Open Day 5 order of play, WTA report on Eala’s opening victory, and WTA report and statistics from their Strasbourg meeting.