Elena Rybakina has moved back ahead of Aryna Sabalenka in the Race to the WTA Finals, with Alex Eala sitting 15th as the North American hard-court swing continues in Cincinnati.

The latest standings reflect contrasting Canadian Open runs for the leading pair. Sabalenka, the world No 1, was eliminated in the fourth round, while second-ranked Rybakina reached the final before losing to Iga Swiatek. Both players are now in Cincinnati for the second WTA 1000 event of the summer hard-court stretch.

The Race to the WTA Finals rewards the eight women who collect the most ranking points across the 2026 campaign. Those eight will secure places at the season-ending WTA Finals, scheduled for Indian Wells, United States, from 8 to 15 November. A current-year Grand Slam champion finishing between ninth and 20th would claim the last qualifying place, while the ninth and 10th players in the standings can attend as alternates if there are withdrawals.

Rybakina, the reigning WTA Finals champion, remains in strong position after moving to 5,397 points. She also collected a record-breaking $5,235,000 for winning last year’s event.

Sabalenka follows on 5,130 points, 267 behind the leader, while Mirra Andreeva is one point further back in third. Elina Svitolina sits fourth on 4,679 points, with Jessica Pegula fifth on 4,515. Karolina Muchova holds sixth despite not having played since the Wimbledon final because of injury. Coco Gauff and Linda Noskova are seventh and eighth.

Below the cutoff, Marta Kostyuk is ninth on 3,460 points. Iga Swiatek is 10th on 3,074 after earning 1,000 points for her win in Toronto, leaving her 730 points behind Noskova. Eala is 15th with 2,061 points after her third round loss to Amanda Anisimova in Cincinnati.

Alex Eala may have exited the Cincinnati Open, but her presence left a clear mark on the tournament well beyond the scoreline.

The Filipina player was beaten in three sets by Amanda Anisimova in the third round, after opening her campaign with a win over Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Even so, Eala remained one of the central figures of the North American swing, following her title run at the Washington Open and the full crowds that followed her at the Canadian Open.

Her support has been especially strong among the Filipino community in North America, and that backing has coincided with a major rise in her 2026 ranking. She is now world No 18.

According to Sam Querrey, speaking on Nothing Major, Eala’s appeal also pushed up ticket values in Cincinnati.

“Oh, you know what I heard last night, too? I got another little fun fact. Alex Eala plays tonight [against Anisimova]. The average ticket price on centre court tonight compared to I think it was two nights ago is $160 higher per ticket and sold out,” said Querrey.

Her effect on attendance is not new. At the Canadian Open, tournament director Karl Hale said Eala’s run created a level of interest the event had not previously seen.

“We’ve never seen anything like that in Toronto before. It was unexpected. We saw the momentum build from February in Doha, and over the past year. And it really culminated in the week of, which every match she played it sold out,” he explained.

“She was just so engaging with her fans and the community. It was really beautiful to see her so loyal to her fans. I think one of the uniquenesses about this event in particular this year was, in the past we saw tens of flags from various nations throughout.

“This year we saw hundreds and thousands of flags. Last night you saw the engagement of the fans with each other, which was great to see. In addition to that, you saw the fans staying until the end of the session for the whole tournament.”

Her profile may rise further at the US Open later this month, where she has a wildcard into the Mixed Doubles with Felix Auger-Aliassime and will also face Iva Jovic in an exhibition match during opening week.

Amanda Anisimova had to work hard for her place in the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open, edging Alex Eala in a demanding third-round contest that swung in both directions.

The match opened with immediate tension, as the first four games of the opening set took 22 minutes to complete. From there, the pace only increased in a meeting that remained close enough to feel in the balance for long stretches.

Eala claimed the first set 6-4, putting Anisimova under pressure early. The American responded with greater composure in the next two sets, turning the match around with a 6-4, 6-2 finish to move on.

After completing the comeback, Anisimova used her on-court interview to acknowledge both her opponent and the support in the stands. Speaking on the Cincinnati Open’s main court, Anisimova said: “I know Alex is such a great player and such a fighter. I knew it was gonna be a really tough match.

“There was quite a bit of support for me tonight so I really appreciate that, because I know how loved Alex is… And for good reason. But I really appreciated it because I felt like I needed a pick me up in this match because it’s past my bed time.”

That line was reflected in the match itself, as she was seen drinking a luminous liquid that appeared to be beer. Lindsay Davenport and Brett Haber questioned whether it was alcoholic, suggesting it could also be cider vinegar, although the wider view was that it was a Red Bull.

Whatever the drink was, it seemed to help Anisimova finish strongly. She now meets Linda Noskova in round four, and the result already marks new ground for her at the tournament.

Before 2026, Anisimova had never reached the fourth round in her previous three Cincinnati Open appearances. She had exited in the second round twice and the third round twice, so this run represents a clear step forward.

The American is still seeking her first WTA Tour title of 2026, and this event offers a chance to change that. She also needed a strong showing in Cincinnati to stay ahead of Marta Kostyuk in the WTA Tour top 10 race. In the live rankings, Anisimova is world No 10, 608 points clear of 11th-placed Kostyuk.