Alex Eala defeated Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 6-4, in the Berlin Open quarter-finals.
Picking up her second top-10 win this week, Eala advanced to the biggest grass-court semi-final of her career.
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The Filipina was delighted with the win and made sure to thank the crowd for their support during her post-match interview.
Alex Eala thanks the Berlin crowd after beating Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals
“I think I’m getting better; I hope I’m getting better!” said Eala.
“Of course, being exposed to this kind of level more often really pushes you to your limits and forces you to showcase what you’ve got.
“Some weeks are better than others, and I’m really enjoying this week, so thank you, everyone, for coming along for the ride.
“I can’t believe it; I’m in shock right now. Thank you, everybody!”
She then shared her thoughts on her opponent, Svitolina.
“Elina [Svitolina] is a huge fighter; I’ve seen it many times,” she said.
“I’ve been watching her since I was a kid, so to be able to compete with her today is such an honour.
Alex Eala vs Elina Svitolina – Match stats
| Stats | Alex Eala | Elina Svitolina |
| Aces | 3 | 4 |
| Double faults | 2 | 7 |
| 1st Serve % | 59% | 73% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 79% | 68% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 44% | 75% |
| Break points | 5/10 | 3/6 |
“I really admire her; she’s a mother, and I find her to act with such elegance and strength. I’m really lucky to have had this match today.”
Eala emerged victorious in her first career meeting with the Ukrainian, delivering another stellar performance.
During Tennis Channel’s coverage of the Berlin Open, former world number one Tracy Austin shared her thoughts on Eala’s latest win.
“She has been so sturdy mentally; there were some ebbs and flows in that, it could have gotten away from her,” she said.
“But what an impressive last game, down 0-30 and somehow found a way!
“Served well, did just enough variation with her serve, with her spins, driving the ball, to make Svitolina feel uncomfortable.
“Svitolina with 23 unforced errors, just a tidy nine for [Alex] Eala.”
Eala deserved to win, just as she did against Elena Rybakina in the second round, but can’t celebrate for too long, as she has a semi-final to prepare for.
Alex Eala faces another difficult task in the Berlin Open semi-finals
Next up for Eala is a tricky semi-final tie against Czechia’s Linda Noskova.
Fans of Eala will know that she hasn’t enjoyed much success against Czech players in the past.
Alex Eala’s record vs Czech players (1-12)
- 2023 W60 Nantes SF [LOSS] vs Gabriela Andrea Knutson, 6-2, 3-6, 1-6
- 2024 W75 Trnava R32 [LOSS] vs Tereza Martincova, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7
- 2024 Guadalajara R32 [LOSS] vs Marie Bouzkova, 2-6, 2-6
- 2024 Wuhan R64 [LOSS] vs Katerina Siniakova, 3-6, 1-6
- 2024 Jiujiang R32 [LOSS] vs Marie Bouzkova, 5-7, 6-7
- 2025 Birmingham Open R32 [LOSS] vs Linda Fruhvirtova, 5-7, 7-6, 1-6
- 2025 Wimbledon 1R [LOSS] vs Barbora Krejcikova, 6-3, 2-6, 1-6
- 2025 Canadian Open 1R [LOSS] vs Marketa Vondrousova, 6-3, 1-6, 2-6
- 2025 Osaka R32 [LOSS] vs Tereza Valentova, 1-6, 2-6
- 2026 Qatar Open R64 [LOSS] vs Tereza Valentova, 6-7, 1-6
- 2026 Indian Wells R16 [LOSS] vs Linda Noskova, 2-6, 0-6
- 2026 Miami Open R16 [LOSS] vs Karolina Muchova, 0-6, 2-6
- 2026 Birmingham Open F [WIN] vs 5-7, 6-3, 7-5
Eala is 1-12 against Czech players and only recently secured her first win over a player from the nation.
To make matters worse, she lost her one previous meeting with Noskova in straight sets, winning just two games.
The 21-year-old remembers that match well, but is determined to play better this time around.
“She’s a big hitter; she’s young, but she has a lot of experience and is very powerful,” said Eala.
“My last match with her proved to be very difficult for me, so coming into the semi-finals, I hope to prepare and make some improvements and show what I’ve got.”
Eala and Noskova will battle it out in the Berlin Open semi-finals on Saturday, June 20.
The winner of their semi-final will meet Aryna Sabalenka or Jessica Pegula in Sunday’s final.
