By Joel Reyes

 

Alex Eala will resume her campaign at the 2026 Berlin Tennis Open on Friday (PH time), with the Filipina star set to face World No. 8 Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals at the Rot-Weiss Tennis Club.

 

Steffi Graf Stadion will host the blockbuster clash, with the matchup set to start no earlier than 11:30 p.m. tonight (PH time). A victory here will see Eala record her second semifinal appearance on grass this season.

 

Eala is coming off the biggest win of her professional tennis career, beating World No. 2 Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-4 in the second round. The Quezon City native blasted four aces and converted 3 of her 7 break-point opportunities to secure the upset win.

 

 

It won't get any easier for Eala as she will next face an in-form Svitolina, who has lost a total of just seven games in the previous two rounds. The Ukrainian star booked her place in the quarters after defeating Eva Lys 6-3, 6-2 in the Round of 16.