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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala reasserts dominance over Vekic in Kooyong Classic win

Alex Eala reasserts dominance over Vekic in Kooyong Classic win

Published Jan 14, 2026 01:28 pm

At A Glance

  • Eala, who is enjoying a career-high No. 49 ranking in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), gradually dictated the pace after falling behind 1-2 early in the opening set. She seized control by building 4-2 and 5-3 leads before closing out the first frame.
Alex Eala. (File Photo/ASB Classic)
Alex Eala. (File Photo/ASB Classic)
Alex Eala reaffirmed her mastery over 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist Donna Vekic with a 6-3, 6-4 victory in their singles exhibition match at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
Eala, who is enjoying a career-high No. 49 ranking in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), gradually dictated the pace after falling behind 1-2 early in the opening set. She seized control by building 4-2 and 5-3 leads before closing out the first frame.
Vekic, ranked 21 spots lower than Eala at No. 70, mustered all her experience entering the second frame by taking a 2-1 lead to keep herself alive.
However, the Filipina tennis sensation proved too steady, regaining momentum by winning four straight games to surge ahead 4-2 and never relinquishing control en route to the win.
The triumph marked Eala’s second victory over Vekic, following her 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win in their first meeting during the Round of 32 at last week’s ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.
Eala also joined the day’s winners Learner Tien, who stunned 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic, 7-5, 4-6, 10-7, and 2024 US Open doubles champion Jordan Thompson, who escaped two-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist Denis Shapovalov, 6-7 (1), 6-3, 10-8.
The professional tennis exhibition singles-only tournament, which has invited Association of Tennis Professionals, and (ATP) and WTA players, serves as Eala’s build-up ahead of the Australian Open scheduled Jan. 18 to Feb. 1.
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