Eala continues giant-slaying ways, tops Svitolina to reach Berlin Open semis

Sports

ALEX Eala is on a serious run.

The Filipina tennis sensation took down another Top 10 opponent to advance to the semifinals of the 2026 Berlin Open, beating sixth seed and world No. 8 Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 6-4, early Saturday (Philippine time), June 20, in Germany.

The victory came a day after Eala toppled world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in the Round of 16, marking the sixth time in the Filipina’s skyrocketing career that she defeated a Top 10 opponent.

Securing her second grass-court semifinal appearance, Eala will next face world No. 13 Linda Noskova.

Seeded eighth in the tournament, Noskova secured her own spot in the Final 4 by beating Paula Badosa in their quarterfinal duel, 6-1, 6-3.

Eala and Noskova met in the Round of 16 of the Indian Wells Open last March where the Czech scored a dominant 6-2, 6-0 victory. The two also met in their junior days with Eala beating Noskova, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the 2020 French Open girls tournament.

The winner in the Eala-Noskova duel will take on the victor in the other semifinal match between world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and third seed and world No. 4 Jessica Pegula.

The Belarusian Sabalenka advanced to the semis by beating wildcard bet Nikola Bartunkova, 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4, while Pegula nosed out Madison Keys in an all-American quarterfinal duel, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (