CONTINUING to build on her growing confidence on grass ahead of Wimbledon, Alex Eala has powered her way into the quarterfinals of the 2026 Berlin Tennis Open after pulling off back-to-back upsets, including the biggest win of her young career.
The Filipina world No. 35 stunned Queens champion Donna Vekic in the opening round before toppling No. 2 Elena Rybakina on the next stage, with both victories ending in identical 7-5, 6-4 scorelines.
READ: By being brave, Alex Eala takes down a giant in Elena Rybakina
Eala showed remarkable composure throughout the two matches, overcoming slow starts before seizing tight opening sets and riding the momentum the rest of the way. Her improved serve also proved crucial, helping her fend off pressure moments.
The victory over Rybakina allowed the pride of the Philippines to level their head-to-head record to 1-1 after falling to the former Wimbledon champion at the Italian Open last month.
She also improved to 2-0 against Vekic, having beaten the Croatian during their first meeting in Auckland earlier this season.
Far from over
But the task only gets taller for Eala, who now faces another elite opponent in eighth-ranked Elina Svitolina in their first-ever career meeting.
Svitolina, a former world No. 3, has looked dominant in Berlin, dispatching Eva Lys, 6-3, 6-2, before cruising past Anna Kalinskaya, 6-1, 4-1, in a match that ended early.
The 31-year-old Ukrainian is also playing her first grass-court tournament of the season after reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open.
Berlin marks Eala's third grass-court event of the year following her title-winning campaign at the WTA 125 Birmingham tournament and a Round of 16 finish at Queen's Club last week.
The 21 year old's best result on the surface remains her runner-up finish at the Eastbourne International last year, a breakthrough run that hinted at her potential on grass.
Eala and Svitolina are scheduled to clash not before 11:30 p.m. (Manila time) on Friday.
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