Naomi Osaka credited Alexandra Eala for bringing a new community of fans to tennis as both players booked their spots in the third round of the Canadian Open on Wednesday.

Osaka, who is seeded 11th, will take on Belgium's Elise Mertens in the next round following a comfortable 6-2 6-4 victory over Panna Udvardy.

The four-time grand slam champion was untroubled by her Hungarian opponent in Toronto, breaking twice in each set as she progressed in one hour and 13 minutes.

And during Osaka's match, she was cheered on by a number of fans from the Philippines, who were preparing to take in Eala's meeting with Alycia Parks later on.

Eala then maintained her outstanding form with a 6-1 4-6 6-2 victory, and the Washington Open champion will take on Caty McNally next.

Asked about Eala's emergence following her own match, Osaka said: "I think it's great. I just finished my match and the little go-cart was taking me back, I looked at the practice court and it was completely full. 

"I was like, 'Who's practising right now?' She hadn't even been on court yet. Then I saw the Filipino flags! I think it's awesome. They're so kind, too, the fans. 

"She's playing late tonight and some of them were on my court cheering for me. I just felt really grateful. It's so cool that she's building a new community, and it's obviously great for the tournament, because she sells a lot of tickets!"

13 - Since the start of the grass swing in June, only Barbora Krejcikova (15) has claimed more WTA-level match wins than Alexandra Eala (13). Form.#NBO26 | @NBOtoronto @WTA pic.twitter.com/S68wdPnOSw

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 6, 2026

McNally was a surprise 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 victor against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, while there was also a win for home favourite Leylah Fernandez, 6-2 6-2 against Mexico's Renata Zarazua. The Canadian faces a tough test in the next round, however, against Roland-Garros champion Mirra Andreeva.

Eala's star continues to rise

The hype around Eala shows no signs of quietening down. Fresh from capturing her first WTA Tour title in Washington, D.C., she became the first Filipino player – male or female – to win a main-draw match at the Canadian Open.

Eala has now made it beyond the first stage at six of her seven WTA 1000 events this year, only failing to do so against Tereza Valentova in Doha. 

Since the beginning of the grass swing in June, Eala has 13 tour-level victories, with only Barbora Krejcikova (15) boasting more.

McNally will present a tough test, though, as she is coming off just her second career victory over a former grand slam champion, having also defeated Samantha Stosur at the Australian Open in 2020. She had been 1-11 in such matches before overcoming Noskova.