Alex Eala and Naomi Osaka Advance to US Open 3rd Round
Alex Eala made history at Louis Armstrong Stadium while Naomi Osaka battled past Katerina Siniakova to lock in third-round spots in Flushing Meadows.
On Thursday, September 3, 2026, No. 17 seed Alex Eala and two-time champion Naomi Osaka both secured decisive victories to advance to the third round of the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York. Eala swept Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-1, 6-4 in just 64 minutes, while No. 13 seed Osaka overcame a second-set stumble to defeat Czech Republic's Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.
Alex Eala Reaches Historic US Open Third Round
Citing official tournament reporting, 19-year-old Filipina sensation Alex Eala delivered a commanding performance at Louis Armstrong Stadium, dismantling Oleksandra Oliynykova in straight sets. The victory marked sweet revenge for Eala, who had dropped a match to Oliynykova at the Internationaux de Strasbourg in May, and propelled her into the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
Supported by a passionate contingent of Filipino fans waving flags and chanting throughout the match, Eala needed just an hour and four minutes to wrap up the win. Her dominant play reinforces momentum gained earlier this summer after capturing her first WTA title at the DC Open.
“I think my patience and the consistency of my focus. I think that was the key to winning the match today.”
— Alex Eala, No. 17 Seed
Naomi Osaka Battles Through Three-Set Thriller
Over at Arthur Ashe Stadium, two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka relied on fierce composure to overcome Katerina Siniakova in two hours and two minutes. After storming through the opening set 6-2, Osaka weathered a tense second-set lapse filled with unforced errors before taking a quick reset and dominating the final set 6-1.
According to ESPN match data, Thursday's win marks the eighth time Osaka has reached the third round in Flushing Meadows across 10 main-draw appearances. Remarkably, it also signifies only the second season of her career—following 2018—where she has reached the third round at all four Grand Slam events.
- Alex Eala recorded her deepest Grand Slam run to date with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Oliynykova.
- Naomi Osaka completed a sweep of reaching the 3rd round at all four 2026 Grand Slams.
- Osaka faces No. 20 seed Elise Mertens next (leading head-to-head 6-3), while Eala awaits the winner between Iva Jovic and Francesca Jones.
Osaka now prepares for a highly anticipated third-round clash against Belgian veteran Elise Mertens, holding a 6-3 advantage in their career series. Meanwhile, Eala continues to build on her breakthrough season, bringing global attention and new momentum into the second week in New York.
Which player is primed for a deeper run at the 2026 US Open?
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