- Alex Eala goes for a major upset against World No. 2 Elena Rybakina in the 2026 Italian Open third round at BNP Paribas Arena.
2026 Italian Open schedule
10:00 p.m. – Alex Eala vs Elena Rybakina
LIVE: Alex Eala vs Elena Rybakina – Italian Open
- FINAL: Alex Eala ends her Italian Open stint after falling to World No.2 Elena Rybakina, 4-6, 3-6.
- Rybakina at match point, 5-3.
- Eala bags the seventh game to keep Rybakina within striking distance, 3-4.
- Rybakina denies Eala in Game 6, 4-2.
- Rybakina takes the lead, 3-2.
- Rybakina ties the set to 2-2.
- Eala is building her momentum, taking the third game for a 2-1 lead
- Eala blanks Rybakina in the second game to tie set 2 to 1-1.
- Rybakina starts the second set strong, dominating the first game.
- END OF SET 1: Elena Rybakina denies Alex Eala’s gallant stand to take the first set, 6-4.
- Eala saves a point, keeping Rybakina within striking distance, 4-5.
- Rybakina on the cusp of taking the first set with a 5-3 lead.
- Eala bounces back strong to make it a one-point deficit anew against Rybakina, 3-4.
- Rybakina regains momentum, dominating Game 6 for a 4-2 lead.
- Eala halts Rybakina’s run to take Game 5 and cut down the deficit to 2-3.
- Eala forces another extended game, but Rybakina escapes and stretches her run to 3-1.
- Rybakina survives the extended third game to take a 2-1 lead.
- Rybakina quick to bounce back, equalizing the set to 1-1.
- Eala draws first blood! She survives Rybakina in an extended first game.
- Eala, Rybakina warm up for their Round of 32 duel.
2026 Italian Open third round features Alex Eala vs Elena Rybakina. –AFP FILE PHOTOS
Alex Eala faces a tall order as she takes on World No. 2 Elena Rybakina on Sunday in the Round of 32 of the Italian Open.
It will be the first meeting between the two players, with the match scheduled for 10 p.m. Manila time.
Rybakina is one of the top players on the WTA Tour. She won this year’s Australian Open after defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka for her second Grand Slam title.
Alex Eala reacts during a match in the 2026 Italian Open vs Wang Xinyu in the Round of 64. –WTA PHOTO
Alex Eala barged into the Italian Open round of 32 after sweeping Chinese rising star Wang Xinyu, 6-4, 6-3, on Friday (Philippine time).
The Filipino tennis ace recovered from a slow start in the opening set and overcame a 2-3 deficit in the second before winning three straight games to move within a game of the match at 5-3.
Eala, currently No. 42 in the WTA rankings, battled back from a 15-40 deficit in the final game to complete the big win over the world No. 33.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
Read Next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.
