NOT even strong momentum could help Donna Vekic get payback against Alex Eala.
The Filipina snapped the newly crowned HSBC Queen's Club champion's six-match win streak with a strong opening-round performance, winning 7-5, 6-4 at the 2026 Berlin Tennis Open on Wednesday night (Manila time).
READ Eala refuses to get carried away after first WTA 125 title on grass
The 21-year-old showed remarkable maturity, staying composed through long rallies and refusing to falter as she proceeded to assert her mastery of the world No. 33.
Eala also defeated the Croatian in their only other meeting in Auckland last January.
The victory sets up a rematch with world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, who defeated Eala the last time they met on clay at the Italian Open in May.
The WTA500 Vanda Pharmaceutical Berlin Tennis Open is Eala’s third tournament on grass following stints at Queensland and a WTA125 tournament in Birmingham where she captured her second title at that level.
After a tightly contested first set that required extra games, Eala, now ranked No. 35 in the world but a wildcard in Berlin, came out stronger in the second and raced to a 4-2 lead.
She wrapped up the match in one hour and 50 minutes.
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