{
  "id": 5487488,
  "title": "'I’m proud to represent Filipinos': Alex Eala fans turn out in force at US Open",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/im-proud-to-represent-filipinos-alex-eala-fans-turn-out-in-force-at-5487488",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-04T03:37:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis/2026/09/04/im-proud-to-represent-filipinos-alex-eala-fans-turn-out-in-force-at-us-open/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Alex Eala fans transformed Louis Armstrong Stadium into a Filipino celebration on Thursday as the 17th seed advanced to the third round of the US Open. Eala dominated Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-1, 6-4, with the crowd enthusiastically supporting the Philippines' rising star. \"I'm proud to represent Filipinos,\" Eala declared to her supporters during an on-court interview. The 17th seed capitalized on her victory over Oliynykova in Strasbourg last month, taking an early lead in the first set and maintaining control. Oliynykova briefly broke serve in the second set, but Eala swiftly responded, solidifying her lead with a love hold. In the second set, Oliynykova employed looping shots to disrupt Eala's rhythm, reaching a 2-1 advantage. However, Eala broke back, controlling the set to secure a 5-3 advantage and advance to the next round. The victory marked a significant improvement for Eala, who had previously lost a match after taking a one-set lead against Oliynykova in Strasbourg. Eala will now face American Iva Jovic, who defeated British qualifier Francesca Jones 6-4, 6-4.",
  "summary": "Alex Eala fans turned Louis Armstrong Stadium into a Filipino party on Thursday as the 17th seed secured her place in the third round of the US Open. Eala produced a composed performance in overcoming Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-1, 6-4. The crowd was overwhelmingly pro Eala , with fans holding signs, chanting and waving little flags to cheer on the Philippines’ and the game’s newest…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "'I’m proud to represent Filipinos': Alex Eala fans turn out in force at US Open",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/im-proud-to-represent-filipinos-alex-eala-fans-turn-out-in-force-at",
        "published": "2026-09-04T03:37:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}