Joselito Malig

Philippines' Alexandra Eala returns the ball to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during the women's singles quarter-final match at the WTA500 Berlin Tennis Open tournament in Berlin on June 19, 2026. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781890636153_TennisWtaGer.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Alex Eala returns the ball to Ukraine&#x27;s Elina Svitolina during the women&#x27;s singles quarter-final match at the WTA500 Berlin Tennis Open tournament in Berlin on June 19, 2026. <em>Tobias Schwarz, AFP</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p><strong>(2nd UPDATE)</strong> Alex Eala continued her dream run at the Berlin Open, upsetting world no. 8 Elina Svitolina in straight sets, 6-3 6-4, to advance to the semifinals of the WTA 500 grass-court tournament early Saturday (Philippine time).</p><p>The Filipina came out aggressively in the opening set, racing to a 3-0 lead as Svitolina struggled with unforced errors.</p><p>The Ukrainian got on the scoreboard at 3-1 after saving a break point, but Eala maintained control with powerful baseline hitting and confident grass-court tennis to move ahead 4-1.</p><p>Svitolina responded by cutting down on her mistakes and breaking serve to close the gap to 4-3. </p><p>However, Eala immediately regained momentum, breaking back from a 40-15 deficit to take a 5-3 lead before serving out the set, 6-3.</p><p>Despite Svitolina finishing the opener with 10 winners compared to Eala&#x27;s eight, the former was hampered by four double faults and eight unforced errors. </p><p>Eala committed just one double fault and four unforced errors in a composed first-set performance.</p><p>The momentum carried into the second set as Eala battled through a hard-fought opening game and capitalized on another Svitolina double fault on break point to take a 1-0 lead.</p><p>Svitolina fought back and leveled the score at 2-2 after securing a break of serve, but Eala once again proved to be the steadier player.</p><p>Eala reeled off three straight games to move ahead 5-2. Svitolina managed to fight back and close the gap to 5-4, but serving for the match, the Filipina held her nerve and proved too good, closing out the set at 6-4 to seal the victory.</p><p>“I can’t believe it. I’m in shock right now,” Eala said after the match. “Elina is a huge fighter. I’ve been watching her since I was a kid. It’s an honor to play against her.”</p><p>Awaiting Eala in the final four is eighth seed and World No. 13 Linda Noskova.</p><p>Meanwhile, the draw for the Bad Homburg Open was also released, with Eala set to face World No. 24 Elise Mertens in the singles competition. </p><p>In doubles, Eala will team up with tennis legend Venus Williams as they open their campaign against the pairing of Shuko Aoyama and Liang En-shuo.</p><div><a href="http://Alex Eala stuns world no. 2 Elena Rybakina in Berlin">Alex Eala stuns world no. 2 Elena Rybakina in Berlin</a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RqJZ3vVS6es?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><a href="http://Alex Eala stuns world no. 2 Elena Rybakina in Berlin"></a><em><a href="http://Alex Eala stuns world no. 2 Elena Rybakina in Berlin"></a></em></div>

<p>Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala continued her giant-killing ways, as she took down world no. 8 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine to advance to the semifinals of the WTA 500 Berlin Open early Saturday (Philippine time).</p>

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala continued her giant-killing ways, as she took down world no. 8 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine to advance to the semifinals of the WTA 500 Berlin Open early Saturday (Philippine time).

Alex Eala dominates Elina Svitolina to book Berlin semis ticket

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Alex Eala dominates Elina Svitolina to book Berlin semis ticket

ABS-CBN News

Published June 20, 2026 01:45 AM PHT

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Updated June 20, 2026 02:00 AM PHT

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Alex Eala

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