Alexandra Eala booked her place in the third round of the Cincinnati Open with a victory over Elena-Gabriela Ruse.

Eala was 6-1 3-0 ahead before Ruse retired due to injury, with the 21-year-old bouncing back from her last-16 exit at the Canadian Open.

Despite the dominant win, it was a shaky start from Eala, who saw her serve broken in the opening game of the match.

However, she did not dwell on it as she reeled off six consecutive games, converting all three break-point opportunities she earned to win the first set in 35 minutes.

And the second followed suit as Eala raced to a 3-0 lead before Ruse could no longer continue.

10 - Since the format’s introduction in 2009, Alexandra Eala (10) is the second youngest Asian player to claim 10+ wins in hard-court WTA-1000 events in a single season, only older than Naomi Osaka. Rise. #CincyTennis | @CincyTennis @WTA pic.twitter.com/xCZEnMqmmt

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 15, 2026

Eala has a tough test ahead in the third round as she will face ninth seed Amanda Anisimova, who defeated Zeynep Sonmez 6-2 6-3 in Cincinnati.

2026 Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova also reached the third round with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Katie Boulter.

Eala continues strong form on hard court

Since the format’s introduction in 2009, Eala (10) is the second-youngest Asian player to claim 10+ wins in hard-court WTA-1000 events in a single season, only older than Naomi Osaka.

Eala continues to gain momentum ahead of this year's US Open, having already won the Washington Open earlier this month.

And she did it the hard way, defeating Elina Svitolina, Osaka and Jessica Pegula on her way to lifting the trophy.

Noskova, meanwhile, has won her opening match in six of the eight WTA-1000 events in 2026, only losing her opening match at Miami and Toronto this season.

She has 11 wins in WTA-1000 events; only in 2025 (14) did she have more wins in a single season in such events.