LINDA Noskova brought Alex Eala's dream run at the WTA 500 Berlin Tennis Open to an end early Sunday morning (Manila time).
The Filipina world No. 35 fell to the Czech world No. 13, 2-6, 4-6, in her first-ever WTA 500 semifinal appearance, bowing out after just one hour and nine minutes.
Trailing by a set, Eala briefly seized momentum in the second frame, taking a 4-3 lead in an attempt to force a decider. But Noskova quickly regained control, winning the final three games of the match to book her place in the championship round.
READ: 'Forced to grow': Alex Eala's resilience fuels new breakthrough
The loss puts Eala and Noskova's head-to-head record to 2-0. The Czech also dominated Eala last March in Indian Wells.
Noskova will face Jessica Pegula in the final after the American defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the other semifinal.
Eala, meanwhile, shifts her focus to the Bad Homburg Open, where she will open her campaign against Elise Mertens in the first round. She is also set to compete in doubles alongside Venus Williams.
The defeat capped Eala's third grass-court tournament of the season and her best finish on the surface yet, following a Round of 16 exit at the Queen's Club Championships and a title run at the WTA 125 Birmingham Open.
During her remarkable Berlin campaign, Eala scored victories over Donna Vekic, Elena Rybakina, and Elina Svitolina before reaching the semifinals.
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