AFTER notching the biggest win of her career on Friday, Alex Eala did something just as impressive the very next day: she proved it wasn't a fluke.
The Filipina world No. 35 toppled yet another Top 10 opponent in world No. 8 Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 6-4, to advance to the semifinals of the WTA 500 Vanda Pharmaceuticals Berlin Tennis Open.
Eala is the lone unseeded player in the final four, joining top seed and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, third seed and world No. 4 Jess Pegula, and her next opponent, eighth seed and world No. 13 Linda Noskova.
Racing to a commanding 3-0 lead to start the match, Eala weathered the Ukrainian's attempt to claw back, holding firm to take the opener.
Building on that momentum, highlighted by her remarkable first serves, Eala jumped to a 2-0 lead before Svitolina briefly drew level at 2-2.
READ: By being brave, Alex Eala takes down a giant in Elena Rybakina
Showing maturity, the Filipina quickly slammed the door shut, winning three straight games to seize a 5-2 cushion, which the vet quickly erased 5-4, but the young gun proved too strong to falter winning the last game to avoid a decider in the match that lasted an hour and 23 minutes.
The victory came a day after Eala defeated world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, 7-5, 6-4, in the round of 16, and ended the six-match winning streak of newly crowned Queen's Club champion Donna Vekic, 7-5, 6-4.
Hoping to even their head-to-head record, Eala will next face Noskova. The Czech drew first blood in their matchup at Indian Wells last March.
Berlin is Eala's third tournament on grass following a WTA 125 title run in Birmingham and a round-of-16 exit at Queen's Club.
Eala aims to surpass last year's heartbreaking runner-up finish at the WTA 250 Eastbourne Open as she continues her search for a first WTA Tour-level singles title.
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