Alex Eala knocks off Elina Svitolina, advances to Berlin Open semis

FILE – Alex Eala celebrates after a match in the Berlin Open. She beat Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina to reach the semifinals. –BERLIN OPEN PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–For a second straight night, Alex Eala toppled a top-ranked player, this time beating world No. 8 Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 6-4, to reach the semifinals of the 2026 Berlin Open.

The result came just 24 hours after she ousted world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 grass-court tournament.

Eala came out firing against the more experienced Svitolina, racing to a 4-1 lead in the first set and taking control of the match, which lasted one hour and 23 minutes.

In the second set, the Filipino tennis ace, who entered Berlin as a wildcard, broke Svitolina three times for a 5-2 lead before the Ukrainian won back-to-back games to pull within one.

But Eala once again showed composure and closed out the match on serve.

Marching ON 💪

Alex Eala is a semifinalist in Berlin, defeating Svitolina 6-3, 6-4!#BTO26 pic.twitter.com/k0zHYyYfWt

— wta (@WTA) June 19, 2026

“Of course, Elina is a huge fighter and I’ve seen it many times. I’ve been watching her since I was a kid. So to be able to compete with her today is such an honor,” Eala said. “I really admire her. She’s a mother and I find her to act with such elegance and strength.”

Eala has now beaten six top-10 players in the WTA rankings, a run that began during her Miami Open campaign last year that launched her into stardom.

Against Svitolina, she once again found a way against a big-hitting opponent with her clinical returning.

“I think I’m getting better [at absorbing the pace]. I hope I’m getting better,” Eala said. “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.”

Eala faces fellow 21-year-old Linda Nosková, who beat Paula Badosa 6-1, 6-3 earlier Friday, in the Final Four.

Also reaching the semifinals are Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka.