Alex Eala defeated Julia Grabher, 6-4, 6-3, in the first round of the Linz Open.
The ever-popular Filipina was made to work hard for her place in round two!
Will Alex Eala ever win a Grand Slam title?
Grabher earned herself break point after break point, but could only convert one of 10, as she lost her 10th consecutive match at her home tournament.
Picking up the win, Eala delivered her thoughts during her post-match interview.
Alex Eala says she was proud of her ‘intensity’ in tough first-round win
“I think I kept the intensity well throughout the match,” said Eala.
“She’s a very intense player and has really good shots.
“I’m really happy with the win.”
Alex Eala vs Julia Grabher – Match stats
| Stats | Alex Eala | Julia Grabher |
| Aces | 0 | 3 |
| Double faults | 3 | 3 |
| 1st Serve % | 60% | 55% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 68% | 69% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 63% | 57% |
| Break points | 3/7 | 1/10 |
Eala was then asked about her Filipino fans, who were in fine voice on Tuesday afternoon.
“It means so much,” she said, before speaking to them in her native language.
The 20-year-old finished her post-match interview by thanking the Austrian locals for being so welcoming.
“I think it’s amazing, I’m really happy with how they welcomed me, and welcomed the Filipinos, I guess we match really well, because there are a lot of them here,” said Eala.
“I’m really thankful for the hospitality.
“I hope to discover your culture more and have some fun on the court.”
Eala will try to have more ‘fun’ on court when she returns for round two, but who will she play?
Jelena Ostapenko awaits Alex Eala in Linz Open second round
Next up for Eala is a tricky test against the 2017 French Open champion, Jelena Ostapenko.
Seeded fourth, Ostapenko received a bye into the second round and is therefore yet to play her first match on clay this year.
Ostapenko and Eala have met twice before, at the Miami Open and Eastbourne Open last year.
Eala won their first encounter in straight sets, 7-6, 7-5, earning her a maiden win over a former Grand Slam champion.
Then, in Eastbourne, Eala fought back from a 0-6 deficit to lead Ostapenko 0-6, 6-3, 3-2.
She then advanced to the quarterfinals when Ostapenko retired due to injury.
Only time will tell if the world number 46 can extend her winning record against Ostapenko to 3-0, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
Eala and Ostapenko will meet for a third time on Wednesday, April 8.
Alex Eala wins her sixth match on clay
Eala’s first-round win in Linz was her sixth career triumph in a WTA Tour match on clay.
The Filipina is now 6-8 on what is arguably her weakest surface.
Alex Eala’s WTA record on clay
| Match | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 2026 Linz Open – 1R | Julia Grabher | WIN | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2025 French Open – 1R | Emiliana Arango | LOSS | 0-6, 6-2, 3-6 |
| 2025 Italian Open – 1R | Marta Kostyuk | LOSS | 0-1, 1-6 |
| 2025 Madrid Open – 2R | Iga Swiatek | LOSS | 6-4, 4-6, 2-6 |
| 2025 Madrid Open – 1R | Viktoriya Tomova | WIN | 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2024 French Open – Q3 | Julia Riera | LOSS | 6-4, 6-7, 4-6 |
| 2024 French Open – Q2 | Taylah Preston | WIN | 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 |
| 2024 French Open – Q1 | Ye Xin Ma | WIN | 6-1, 6-1 |
| 2024 Madrid Open – 2R | Sorana Cirstea | LOSS | 3-6, 7-6, 4-6 |
| 2024 Madrid Open – 1R | Lesia Tsurenko | WIN | 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2023 Madrid Open – 1R | Tatjana Maria | LOSS | 1-6, 1-6 |
| 2022 Madrid Open – Q1 | Anna Bondar | LOSS | 0-6, 0-6 |
| 2021 Winners Open – 2R | Mayar Sherif | LOSS | 2-6, 2-6 |
| 2021 Winners Open – 1R | Paula Ormaecha | WIN | 7-5, 6-2 |
She will be keen to improve upon that record in Linz and at the upcoming Stuttgart Open.
After Qinwen Zheng withdrew, Eala was awarded a spot in the Stuttgart Open main draw.
Joining the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff in Germany, Eala will have an opportunity to test herself against the very best players in the women’s game.
The 2026 Stuttgart Open begins on Monday, April 13.
