Eala serves up massive upset in Berlin Open

Sports

ALEX Eala essayed a masterful performance to come away with one of her biggest victories of her rising career.

Eala stunned world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, 7-5,6-4, to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Berlin Open in Germany early Friday (Philippine time), June 19.

The 21-year-old Filipina tennis sensation refused to back down against the former Wimbledon champion, securing the gigantic win to turn herself from being a widlcard into a quarterfinalist.

The second-seeded Kazakh star appeared ready to pull off a runaway win when she raced to a 4-1 lead in the opening set.

The world No. 35 Eala, however, battled back to force a 4-4 tie. Rybakina seized the lead back, 5-4, but Eala struck anew, winning three straight to steal the opening set.

Fuelled by her incredible first-set win, Eala kept her momentum going in the second frame, breaking Rybakina in the third game to take a 2-1 lead.

Eala seized control from that point on en route to icing the victory that set her up against sixth seed Elina Svitolina in the Final 8.

The world No. 8 Svitolina of Ukraine secured her own quarterfinal seat by dominating German Eva Lys in their own Round of 16 match, 6-3, 6-2.

Svitolina is a 31-year-old veteran with 20 singles titles who once ranked No. 3 in the world.

While Svitolina has already amassed numerous singles title, Eala, whose highest singles ranking was 29, is still gunning for her first.(CCM)