Filipina tennis star and Rafa Nadal Academy graduate Alexandra Eala shocked the world at the 2025 Miami Open. She defeated three Grand Slam champions: Madison Keys, Jelena Ostapenko, and Iga Swiatek en route to the semifinals.
There have been growing pains and bumps along the way in the past 15 months. However, Eala finds herself in a great position at this week’s Berlin Open in her first year playing in the tournament.
On Wednesday, she defeated the reigning Olympic silver medalist and last week’s HSBC Championships winner, Donna Vekic in straight sets. Some thought Eala caught a fatigured Vekic at an opportune time to get the win. However, her Thursday win, also in straight sets, over the reigning Australian Open champion and 2022 Wimbledon champion, Elena Rybakina is no fluke.
MORE: One year later, Paula Badosa is still talking about how bad Stefanos Tsitsipas was as a boyfriend
An experienced Eala can make deep Berlin run
The difference between Eala at the 2025 Miami Open and this year in Berlin is that she has gained a lot of experience being in the limelight. Eala knows better how to manage the pressure and nerves of big matches.
Friday’s quarterfinal pits the lefty against Italian Open champion Elina Svitolina in their first career meeting.
Fans are looking forward to this match of the cool and calm Svitolina against the fiery Eala. With Rybakina and Coco Gauff out of their section of the draw, this is a great opportunity for both women.
Mar 21, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) gestures to her player’s box after her match against Magda Linette (POL) (not pictured) on day five of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
MORE: Stephen A. Smith shares profanity-laced opinion on Venus, Serena playing Wimbledon doubles
Watch Alex Eala take on Elina Svitolina in the Berlin Open quarterfinals on the Tennis Channel on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 11:30 AM EDT.
O que achou dessa notícia? Deixe um comentário abaixo e/ou compartilhe em suas redes sociais. Assim conseguiremos informar mais pessoas sobre o que acontece no mundo do tênis!
Esta notícia foi originalmente publicada em:
Fonte original