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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala stuns world No. 2 Rybakina, storms into Berlin Open quarterfinals

Alex Eala stuns world No. 2 Rybakina, storms into Berlin Open quarterfinals

Published Jun 19, 2026 01:06 am

At A Glance

  • The Filipino wildcard weathered Rybakina's booming serves and steadily found her rhythm against the former Wimbledon champion en route to one of the biggest victories of her young career.
Alex Eala (File Photo/ AP)
Alex Eala (File Photo/ AP)
Alex Eala slayed a giant in world No. 2 Elena Rybakina with a stunning 7-5,6-4 victory to storm into the quarterfinals of the 2026 Berlin Open in Germany early Friday, June 19 (Philippine time).
The Filipino wildcard weathered Rybakina’s booming serves and steadily found her rhythm against the former Wimbledon champion en route to one of the biggest victories of her young career.
The triumph set up the 21-year-old Eala a quarters date with sixth seed Elina Svitolina, who earlier routed Eva Lys, 6-3, 6-2.
The second-seeded Rybakina asserted control early, firing six aces and racing to a 4-1 lead in the opening set.
But Eala refused to back down, rattling off three straight games highlighted by a crucial break of serve in the seventh to level the set at 4-all.
Rybakina briefly regained the upperhand by taking it 5-4, but Eala responded in emphatic fashion, winning the next three games to complete a stunning comeback and seize the opening set.
Brimming with confidence, Eala carried that momentum into the second set by holding serve and breaking the Kazakh star in the third game to seize a 2-1 advantage, staying in control the rest of the way.
Overall, Rybakina blasted 13 aces against four double faults, but wasn't enough to douse the fire of Eala.

Related Tags

Alex Eala Elena Rybakina Berlin Open WTA
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