Eala Advances, Anisimova Awaits as Pegula Starts Strong | WTA Cincinnati Open

Gauff Fights Back as Sabalenka, Swiatek and Rybakina Advance says:

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WTA Cincinnati Open 2026 Roundup | Day 3:

The 2026 Cincinnati Open moved into the second round on Saturday, August 15, bringing several seeded players into action for the first time.

Alexandra Eala advanced after Elena-Gabriela Ruse retired with an ankle injury, Amanda Anisimova made a commanding start, Jessica Pegula moved through in straight sets, and Magdalena Frech knocked out Jelena Ostapenko.

With the Round of 64 underway, Cincinnati is beginning to take shape — and Eala’s next match is already one of the most intriguing contests of the third round.

Eala Advances After Ruse Retirement

Alexandra Eala made a strong start to her Cincinnati campaign, advancing past Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-1, 3-0 ret.

Eala controlled the opening set 6-1 and had moved ahead 3-0 in the second when Ruse was unable to continue because of a left ankle injury.

The match lasted 57 minutes.

It was an unfortunate finish for Ruse, but Eala had established firm control before the retirement and now moves into the third round of another WTA 1000 tournament.

The bigger story may be what comes next.

Anisimova Sets Up Eala Showdown

Amanda Anisimova opened her Cincinnati campaign with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Zeynep Sonmez.

Sonmez had produced one of the notable results of Day 1 by coming from behind to eliminate Daria Kasatkina, but the No. 9 seed gave her little opportunity to repeat the feat.

Anisimova’s victory sets up:

Amanda Anisimova vs. Alexandra Eala

in the Round of 32.

It will be a significant step up for Eala against one of the leading American players in the draw.

For Anisimova, meanwhile, Eala presents a very different challenge after her straightforward opening victory.

Pegula Makes Comfortable Start

Jessica Pegula began her Cincinnati campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Simona Waltert.

The No. 3 seed avoided the kind of early-round trouble that can sometimes follow a first-round bye, taking control of the match and advancing in straight sets.

Pegula now moves into the Round of 32, where the draw becomes progressively more demanding.

Frech Knocks Out Ostapenko

One of the day’s significant seeded exits came when Magdalena Frech defeated No. 26 seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-1, 6-3.

Frech dominated the opening set and never allowed the former French Open champion to establish enough momentum to turn the match around.

The straight-sets victory sends Frech into the third round and removes another dangerous name from the bottom section of the draw.

Noskova Handles Boulter

Linda Noskova made a solid start to her tournament with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Katie Boulter.

The No. 6 seed kept the match under control in both sets and advanced without needing a decider.

Noskova will next face Clara Tauson, who survived a much tougher encounter against Peyton Stearns.

Tauson needed three sets to advance 7-6(7), 1-6, 7-5.

Kalinskaya Moves Through

Anna Kalinskaya defeated American Caty McNally 6-3, 6-4 to reach the third round.

The No. 18 seed avoided complications in a competitive second set and moves deeper into a section of the draw that also includes Pegula.

Navarro Survives Kalinina

Emma Navarro had a much more difficult opening match.

The No. 25 seed dropped the first set against Anhelina Kalinina before recovering to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Navarro’s comeback earned her a third-round meeting with Pegula, creating an all-American matchup in the next stage.

Sakkari Wins Three-Set Battle

Maria Sakkari was another seeded player forced to work through three sets.

The No. 29 seed defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.

After losing a tight second set, Sakkari regained control decisively in the third to keep her Cincinnati campaign alive.

Shnaider Advances in Straight Sets

Diana Shnaider defeated veteran Tatjana Maria 6-2, 7-5.

Maria had conceded only three games in her opening-round victory over Dayana Yastremska, but Shnaider proved a much tougher obstacle.

The No. 14 seed advances to the Round of 32.

Chwalinska Continues Her Run

Maja Chwalinska continued her Cincinnati campaign with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory over Cristina Bucsa.

The No. 19 seed moves into the third round without dropping a set in her opening Cincinnati match.

Bencic Retires

Belinda Bencic’s Cincinnati campaign ended prematurely against Lois Boisson.

Boisson led 6-3, 0-0 when Bencic retired because of a right hip injury.

The withdrawal adds Bencic to a growing list of players whose Cincinnati tournaments have been affected by physical issues.

Doubles Begins Next

Saturday remained primarily a singles day on the women’s side, but that is about to change.

The women’s doubles competition begins Sunday, August 16, adding the 32-team draw to the daily Cincinnati schedule.

From Day 4 onward, Tennis Roundup will cover the significant doubles results alongside the singles tournament.

Day 4: Sabalenka, Rybakina, Gauff and Swiatek Enter

Sunday brings one of the most loaded schedules of the tournament so far.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka begins against Talia Gibson, while Elena Rybakina faces Taylor Townsend.

Defending Cincinnati champion Iga Swiatek opens against Emiliana Arango, and Coco Gauff faces Liudmila Samsonova.

Elina Svitolina will meet Tereza Valentova.

With the top of the draw finally coming into action, Cincinnati’s title race is about to become much clearer.

And one third-round match is already circled:

Amanda Anisimova vs. Alexandra Eala.

Eala has moved through her opener. Now comes a considerably bigger Cincinnati test.