Alex Eala’s first Grand Slam match of the 2026 season finally has a fixed time, and Filipino fans will have to set an early alarm: her US Open opener against American qualifier Mary Stoiana is scheduled for Wednesday morning, September 2, Philippine time.
The match you have been waiting for
Seeded No. 17 at Flushing Meadows, her highest-ever Grand Slam seeding, Eala will play the second match of the night session at Louis Armstrong Stadium, after Adolfo Daniel Vallejo faces Gael Monfils. The projected start is around 9 a.m. Wednesday, September 2, Philippine time, though it could shift earlier or later depending on how long the first match runs.
Her opponent, Mary Stoiana, enters as the world No. 122 after three straight qualifying wins, including a three-set clincher over China’s Yue Yuan. The 23-year-old is a decorated college player, a two-time SEC Player of the Year and the 2024 ITA National Player of the Year who led Texas A&M to its first national title.
When to watch in the Philippines
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opponent | Mary Stoiana (USA, world No. 122) |
| Date | Wednesday, September 2 (PH time) |
| Start | ~8:40 to 9 a.m. PH, after Vallejo vs. Monfils |
| Venue | Louis Armstrong Stadium, Flushing Meadows |
| Round | Women’s singles Round of 128 |
Where to stream it live
In the Philippines, the US Open is carried by SPOTV and SPOTV Now, which offers 1080p full HD streaming on up to two devices across PC, mobile, tablet, and smart TV. Cignal subscribers can also stream through the Cignal Play app. In the US, coverage airs on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC, with every court available on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers.
Why this match matters
Eala arrives in New York fresh off the best stretch of her career. She won her first WTA title at the DC Open in August, beat Jessica Pegula in that final, and climbed to a career-high world No. 18. This is her second straight US Open main draw after making history in 2025 as the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam singles match.
She also has a deeper New York history: Eala won the US Open girls’ singles title in 2022, and a run here would add to a year that has already confirmed her spot in the 2026 Asian Games and set up a homecoming exhibition at the Philippine Arena in December.
Set the alarm for Wednesday morning. The Philippines’ biggest tennis star is on the biggest stage in the sport.
