Alex Eala Survives Injury Scare, Storms Into Toronto Fourth Round

Alex Eala needed a medical timeout and three sets to get past Caty McNally in Toronto.

A Slow Start, A Furious Finish

McNally broke Eala’s serve twice in the opening games, jumping to a 3-1 lead in the first set. Eala shifted her rhythm, slowing rallies and keeping McNally away from the net, then swept five straight games to close out the set.

The Injury Scare

Leading 3-2 in the second set, Eala called a medical timeout for an injury. McNally capitalized, forcing a decider before Eala closed out the match 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in two hours and 39 minutes, converting seven of her break point chances along the way.

“I think I survived that one. It was so tough,” Eala said after the match.

Bencic Awaits in Toronto

The win pushes Eala’s streak to seven straight matches, a run that started with her maiden WTA 500 title in Washington. The 25th seeded, world No. 20 Filipina now faces 12th seed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, a former world No. 4 and 2020 Olympic gold medalist who needed over three hours to get past Taylor Townsend, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-4.