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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala cruises past Ukrainian Yastremska, enters Eastbourne semis

Alex Eala cruises past Ukrainian Yastremska, enters Eastbourne semis

Published Jun 26, 2025 11:05 pm

At A Glance

  • Alex Eala extended her brilliant run on the grass court with a rousing 6-1, 6-2 win over Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska to enter the semifinals of the WTA 250 Lexus Eastbourne Open in Great Britain Thursday evening, June 26 (Philippine time).
Alex Eala (Screengrab from Premier Sports live)
Alex Eala (Screengrab from Premier Sports live)
Alex Eala extended her brilliant run on the grass court with a rousing 6-1, 6-2 win over Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska to enter the semifinals of the WTA 250 Lexus Eastbourne Open in Great Britain Thursday evening, June 26 (Philippine time).
Playing on a windy condition, Eala remained locked in and unleashed her A-game by forcing the hard-hitting Yastremska into several errors to ice their quarterfinal clash that lasted for just an hour.
The 25-year-old Ukrainian, who finished as runner-up in the Nottingham Open last weekend, couldn’t find her groove as the Filipina played a spectacular game from start to finish – a form she hopes to sustain when she plunges into the Wimbledon later this month.
The victory set up Eala a semis date with Russia-born French Varvara Gracheva who is world’s No. 111.
Gracheva advanced to the semis via walkover as her opponent Czech Barbora Krejčíková, the Wimbledon reigning champion, withdrew in their quarters clash due to a right thigh injury.
This would be Eala’s first semifinal appearance in a WTA-sanctioned grass tournament and her second semis this year after a historic Miami Open stint last March where she bested the likes of Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys, to list a few.
The 25-year-old Ukrainian couldn’t find her groove as the Filipina played a spectacular game from start to finish – a form she hopes to sustain when she plunges into the Wimbledon action later this month.
The victory set up Eala a semis date with Russia-born French and world’s No. 111 Varvara Gracheva.
Gracheva advanced to the semis via walkover as her opponent Czech Barbora Krejčíková, the Wimbledon reigning champion, withdrew in their quarters clash due to a right thigh injury.
It was evident that the breezy weather affected the performance of Yastremska, who finished as runner-up after yielding to American McCartney Kessler, 6-4, 7-5, in the Nottingham Open final last weekend, as she struggled early on.
Eala added Yastremska’s scalp to her collection which includes No. 20 and 2021 Eastbourne winner Jelena Ostapenko whom she survived via a 0-6, 6-2, 3-2 (retired) Round of 16 triumph.
She also defeated Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti, 6-0, 6-1, in the Last 32 as well as American Hailey Baptiste (6-7 (7), 7-6 (7), 6-1) and Turkish Zeynep Sonmez (6-1, 6-3) in the qualifying stages.

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