Amanda Anisimova emerged victorious from a nervy third-round clash against Alexandra Eala at the Cincinnati Open.

Home favourite Anisimova won 4-6 6-4 6-2 in two hours and 28 minutes to reach the round of 16 in Ohio.

The first set lasted over an hour and saw a total of 11 break point opportunities between the pair, four of which came in Eala's third service game, which saw nine deuces before the 21-year-old finally held serve.

And though it was Eala who blinked first as she lost her serve in the seventh game, she converted break points in Anisimova's following two service games to win the opening set.

Eala continued to be on the defensive in the second as she saved three further break points in the third game, though Anisimova's breakthrough in the seventh game saw her force a decider.

The pressure was back on the American after Eala broke into a 2-0 lead, but Anisimova reeled off six consecutive games, serving to love to clinch victory.

Anisimova will face Linda Noskova in the last 16 after the Wimbledon champion defeated Clara Tauson 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.

Jessica Pegula also booked her place in the next round with a 7-5 6-2 victory over Emma Navarro in an all-American clash.

What. A. Night.#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/BOY5Wddygj

— wta (@WTA) August 18, 2026

Anisimova finds home comforts

Anisimova has won just her second match of the year against a top-20 opponent, having previously gone 1-6 in such matchups, while she is through to the last 16 at a WTA 1000 event for the fifth time in 2026.

The 24-year-old is also just one of three players, alongside Pegula and Elena Rybakina, to reach the round of 16 in all three North American WTA-1000 events this season.

Meanwhile, since the start of the 2020 season, Pegula (39) has reached the most rounds of 16 of any player at WTA 1000 events.

Only three active players have reached more WTA 1000 rounds of 16 than Pegula – Aryna Sabalenka, Karolina Pliskova (44 each) and Elina Svitolina (43).