Eala, Auger-Aliassime pairing ends swiftly in US Open loss to husband-wife foes
MANILA, Philippines – Alex Eala’s collaboration with Felix Auger-Aliassime proved too new to overcome a partnership that extends far beyond the court.
The Filipina ace and the Canadian star suffered an opening-round exit from mixed doubles play of the US Open following a 4-1, 4-1 loss to the husband-and-wife tandem of Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina on Tuesday, August 25.
Eala, WTA world No. 18, and Auger-Aliassime, ATP world No. 4, won the opening game but faded thereafter as their pairing came to a swift end.
Married since 2021 but playing together in a major for the first time, Svitolina and Monfils flashed their natural chemistry and seamless teamwork, dropping only one of the next nine games to advance to the quarterfinals.
France’s Monfils and Ukraine’s Svitolina then sealed the 38-minute victory with a kiss.
The win marked the first time Svitolina scored a victory over Eala after the Filipina triumphed in their two previous WTA Tour singles encounters, winning in the Berlin Tennis Open and the Washington Open earlier this year.
It is also a pleasing result for 39-year-old Monfils, who will draw the curtains on his colorful 22-year professional career at the end of the season.
Now that their mixed doubles campaign is over, Eala and Auger-Aliassime can focus on their respective singles campaign as they both look to surpass their 2025 showings.
Eala eyes a deep run a year after she made history as the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam main draw match in the Open era when she stunned Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the opening round, while Auger-Aliassime seeks to improve on his run to the semifinals.
But before that, Eala will also take part in the Stars of the Open exhibition event that features other top female players Amanda Anisimova and Iva Jovic of the USA and Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine. – Rappler.com
