Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<p>Filipino tennis star Alex Eala fought back from 2-5 down in the second set to book her quarterfinals ticket in Birmingham.</p><p> Eala defeated Russia’s Alina Charaeva 6-2, 7-5 in a match that swung both ways before the Filipino star closed it out.</p><p> The first set was all Eala as she broke straight away with Charaeva double-faulting twice in the very first game to go up 1-0.</p><div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/6/2/tennis-alex-eala-excited-to-team-up-with-trailblazer-venus-williams-2142"><strong>Tennis: Alex Eala excited to team up with &#x27;trailblazer&#x27; Venus Williams </strong></a></div><p> Charaeva finally got on the scoreboard to make it 1-4, but Eala stayed solid on serve and kept the pressure on, eventually converting on her fifth set point to take the opener 6-2.</p><p> The second set was a completely different match. </p><p>Charaeva came out with a clearer game plan, leaning heavily on slice variety, drop shots, and more forceful groundstrokes to disrupt Eala’s rhythm. </p><p>She held serve to open the set, then built on it, eventually pulling away to lead 5-2.</p><p> Grass was playing a big role too. Balls were skidding and bouncing low off the surface, moving fast and leaving little time to react. </p><p>Eala responded by staying low and light on her feet, keeping her energy up and refusing to let the conditions or the scoreline get to her.</p><div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/6/1/alex-eala-to-team-up-with-venus-williams-in-bad-homburg-open-report-1312"><strong>Alex Eala to team up with Venus Williams in Bad Homburg Open: report</strong></a></div><p> Then came the comeback with Eala winning two straight games to close to 4-5, then kept the momentum going to reel off the last five games and seal the second set 7-5. </p><p> Up next for Eala is Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, ranked WTA No. 173 in the quarterfinals.</p><div> </div>

<p>The Filipino star fought back from 2-5 down in the second set to book her quarterfinals ticket in Birmingham.</p>

The Filipino star fought back from 2-5 down in the second set to book her quarterfinals ticket in Birmingham.

Alex Eala advances to Birmingham Open QF with win over Charaeva

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Alex Eala advances to Birmingham Open QF with win over Charaeva

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 04, 2026 11:17 PM PHT

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Updated June 05, 2026 06:26 PM PHT

Read More:

Alex Eala

Birmingham Open

Alina Charaeva

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