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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala overpowers Polish veteran to reach ASB Classic semis

Alex Eala overpowers Polish veteran to reach ASB Classic semis

Published Jan 9, 2026 10:46 am  |  Updated Jan 9, 2026 01:28 pm

At A Glance

  • The fourth-seeded Eala dictated the pace for most of the one hour, 37-minute match, moving her closer to a second WTA singles title.
Alex Eala. (ASB Classic)
Alex Eala. (ASB Classic)
Alex Eala continued her stellar run at the ASB Classic after overpowering fifth seed and 2023 Australian Open semifinalist Magda Linette, 6-3, 6-2, to barge into the semifinals on Friday, Jan. 9, in Auckland, New Zealand.
The fourth-seeded Eala dictated the pace for most of the one hour, 37-minute match, moving her closer to a second WTA singles title.
After trading service breaks in the opening two games, both players held serve until Linette dropped hers in the sixth game, allowing Eala to seize a 4-2 lead.
The 20-year-old Filipina tennis sensation capitalized on the momentum, winning the next two of the three games to clinch the opening set.
Brimming with confidence, Eala turned more aggressive in the second set and raced to a 4-0 lead before Linette briefly found her rhythm, winning the next two games to trim the deficit to 4-2.
Eala, however, quickly regained control, breaking Linette’s serve in the seventh game and sealing the victory in the following game.
Despite the straight-sets win, Eala admitted Linette’s experience made all the match more difficult.
“I did my best. I just do what I can. If there’s an opening, I think it’s important that I go for it,” said Eala during post-match interview.
“Today was difficult, of course with Magda being such an experienced player. I’ve had difficulties with her playing serve before, but I’m happy that I’ve seen my level (of play) increased,” she added.
It was a redemption of sorts for Eala, who had lost to Linette in their first two encounters over the past two years.
With the victory, Eala set up a semis duel with seventh seed Wang Xinyu after Francesca Jones retired from their match while trailing 6-4, 4-3.
Ranked No. 57 -- just four notches below Eala -- Wang has seven International Tennis Federation (ITF) singles titles and ranked as high as No. 32 in 2023. The Chinese standout reached the fourth round twice in the Grand Slams -- at the 2023 US Open and the 2024 Wimbledon.
Meanwhile, Eala and American Iva Jovic are also campaigning in the women’s doubles as of this posting where the pair gun for finals berth against third seed Xu Yifang and Yang Zhaoxuan.
Eala and Jovic advanced to the semis without breaking a sweat after a walkover win over Jesika Maleckova and Renata Zarazua.
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