Alex Eala-Venus Williams tandem bows out of National Bank Open doubles
Alex Eala and Venus Williams were eliminated from the National Bank Open doubles competition in Toronto after a straight-sets loss to Liudmila Samsonova and Miyu Kato. Despite the doubles exit, Eala continues her campaign in the singles draw.
Why it matters
The partnership between a rising young talent and a tennis legend has drawn significant media attention to the tournament.
United States’ Venus Williams, left, confers with partner, Philippines’ Alexandra Eala in a doubles match against Japan’s Miyu Kato and Liudmila Samsonova during a National Bank Open tennis match in Toronto on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. | Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP
TORONTO, Canada — Alex Eala and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams bowed out of the women’s doubles competition at the National Bank Open after falling to the experienced tandem of Liudmila Samsonova and Miyu Kato in the Round of 32 on Thursday (Friday, Manila time).
Samsonova and Kato proved too steady throughout the opening-round encounter, eliminating the Filipino-American pair in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, on Centre Court at Sobeys Stadium.
The Russian-Japanese duo capitalized on key service breaks in both sets while limiting unforced errors to deny Eala and Williams the opportunity to mount a comeback.
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