Alex Eala Set for US Open Main Draw Debut Against Denmark’s Clara Tauson

by Misha Cruz

Alex Eala (left) will face Clara Tauson in her US Open debut.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is set to make her long-awaited debut in the US Open main draw, where she will be tested right away against Denmark’s Clara Tauson. The two are scheduled to square off on Sunday in New York.

Tauson, currently ranked No. 15 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) standings, enters the tournament as the 14th seed. The 22-year-old Dane has already established herself on the international stage with three WTA titles to her name. She broke through in 2021 with back-to-back victories at the Lyon and Luxembourg tournaments, then added a third crown this January at the Auckland Classic. That win came in unusual fashion, as Tauson was declared champion after Naomi Osaka was forced to retire due to injury.

Current WTA ranked #15 Clara Tauson. Photo: Tennis365.

At six feet tall, Tauson brings a strong baseline game and heavy groundstrokes that have carried her deep into major competitions. Her best Grand Slam performance so far came at the 2023 French Open, where she advanced to the Round of 16 before bowing out. Most recently, she competed at the Cincinnati Open, falling in the Round of 32 to Veronika Kudermetova on August 14.

Alex Eala. Photo: Getty Images.

Eala, meanwhile, heads into the US Open eager to prove herself on one of tennis’ biggest stages. At just 20 years old, she continues to build momentum in her professional career while carrying the hopes of Filipino fans worldwide. Her journey to Flushing Meadows, however, has not been without challenges. A shoulder injury sidelined her from both the Cincinnati Open and the Monterrey Open earlier this month, forcing her into a brief recovery period.

Now fully fit, Eala looks forward to testing her game against one of the WTA’s rising stars. Known for her grit and shot-making ability, the Filipina has steadily gained experience on the pro tour and is determined to make her mark at the Grand Slam level.

Clara Tauson. Photo: The Athletic.

The clash with Tauson will be a significant benchmark for Eala — not just her first taste of the US Open spotlight, but also a chance to see how her game measures up against a Top 20 player. With her return to competition coinciding with this major milestone, all eyes will be on whether Eala can rise to the occasion in her debut.