Alex Eala urged to make major change by Serena Williams' former coach before Canadian Open fourth round

Alex Eala has been grabbing headlines with her impressive run of form, as she has extended her winning streak to seven matches after their third-round victory over Caty McNally at the Canadian Open.

It was a hard-fought victory for the 21-year-old as she secured a 2-1 set win (6-3, 5-7, 6-4) over the world No. 70, and now she will square off with Belinda Bencic.

This achievement added to the Filipina star’s victory over Alycia Parks in her opening match at the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto.

Eala secured her first-ever career title at the WTA 500 in Washington DC prior to her arrival at the Canada Open, her five wins in the United States capital earning her the trophy.

This incredible run of seven victories has propelled her to a career-high ranking of world No. 20. No. 20, and now she will face the world No. 12, Bencic, in the fourth-round of the Canadian Open.

Ahead of this match, Serena and Venus Williams’ former coach has analysed the 21-year-old’s game and believes she could become a consistent title challenger.

Rick Macci suggested exactly how she could climb up the world rankings through his praise for the youthful star on X, formerly Twitter.

He said: “Her movement is the X factor on the road to the mountain top.

“The PHILIPPINE MACHINE controls and dictate a lot, but when not, her agility and mobility can be bought.

“No player checks every box, but Alex has enough firepower to hug the baseline and take away time and hit laser angles on a dime. Top 5 is around the bend as her new best friend.”

However, despite continuing his praise for Eala, he suggested she should make a change to her game to improve further, with particular focus on her serve.

Macci added: “The Philippine Machine is earning a lot of green, and her on-the-rise firepower is some of the best we have seen.

“Her movement can be exploited and make her pay, but because of her elite ball striking, she still has the final say.

“Her serve needs reconstructive surgery to become a laser, and if this happens, she add another taser.”

Alex Eala’s upcoming opponent Belinda Bencic

The Swiss tennis star entered the Canadian Open at the same stage as Eala, making her way past American Sloane Stephens in her opening fixture with ease in a two-set victory.

Bencic completed a successful comeback over Taylor Townsend after losing the first set 6-7 before winning the next two, 7-6 and 6-4, to progress to this stage.

The 29-year-old has won 10 titles throughout her career, to Eala’s one on the tour; however, it must be noted that she has also won two Olympic medals, claiming a gold in the singles tournament at the 2021 games in Tokyo, along with the silver in the doubles.

Prior to this Canada Open, we last saw Bencic at Wimbledon, where she exited the competition at the round of 16 stage, losing in three sets to Coco Gauff.