LIVE: Alex Eala vs Elina Svitolina – Berlin Open – quarterfinals
- Alex Eala takes on another top 10 player in the Berlin Open as she battles Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals.
Berlin Open schedule
June 20, Saturday
- 12:10am- Alex Eala vs Elina Svitolina
Alex Eala beats world No. 8 Elina Svitolina, advances to Berlin Open semis
FILE – Alex Eala celebrates after a match in the Berlin Open. She beat Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina to reach the semifinals. –BERLIN OPEN PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–For a second straight night, Alex Eala toppled a top-ranked player, this time beating world No. 8 Elina Svitolina to reach the semifinals of the 2026 Berlin Open.
The result came just 24 hours after she ousted world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 tournament.
Eala came out firing against the more experienced Svitolina, racing to a 4-1 lead in the first set and taking control of the match, which lasted one hour and 23 minutes.
In the second set, the Filipino tennis ace, who entered Berlin as a wildcard, broke Svitolina three times for a 5-2 lead before the Ukrainian won back-to-back games to pull within one.
But Eala once again showed composure and closed out the match on serve.
Marching ON 💪
Alex Eala is a semifinalist in Berlin, defeating Svitolina 6-3, 6-4!#BTO26 pic.twitter.com/k0zHYyYfWt
— wta (@WTA) June 19, 2026
“Of course, Elina is a huge fighter and I’ve seen it many times. I’ve been watching her since I was a kid. So to be able to compete with her today is such an honor,” Eala said. “I really admire her. She’s a mother and I find her to act with such elegance and strength.”
Eala has now beaten six top-10 players in the WTA rankings, a run that began during her Miami Open campaign last year that launched her into stardom.
LIVE UPDATES: Alex Eala vs Elina Svitolina – Berlin Open quarterfinals
- FINAL: Alex Eala takes down another Top 10 player, beating world No. 8 Elina Svitolina to reach the semifinals of the Berlin Open.
- Alex Eala at match point.
- Alex Eala serving for the match.
- Svitolina with back to back games. Down by just one, 5-4.
- Svitolina recovers the break but Eala still ahead, 5-3.
- 40-0 response from Svitolina to reach break point in the eight game.
- Alex Eala races to a 5-2 advantage. She’s one game away from another upset in Berlin.
- Break point No. 3 for Alex Eala.
- Alex Eala reaches break point, but Svitolina forces a deuce.
- Alex Eala fires an ace and holds to love for a 4-2 lead.
- 40-0 lead for Alex Eala in the sixth game of the second set.
- Alex Eala breaks back to regain the lead, 3-2.
- Svitolina secures a break to love to level the second set at 2-2.
- Svitolina with the hold, but she’s still down 2-1 in the second set.
- 40-0 lead for Svitolina in the third game.
- Alex Eala takes a 2-0 lead in the second set!
- Alex Eala saves a break point with an ace and later forces deuce.
- Stronger returns for Svitolina and she reaches break point.
- Alex Eala breaks Svitolina to open the second set and take a 1-0 lead
- Deuce #6 in this first game.
- Svitolina saves the break point and forces deuce.
- Break point for Alex Eala in the opening game.
- Svitolina gains the advantage, but Eala battles back to force deuce.
- Second set underway.
Clinical 👏
Alex Eala moves one set away from the semifinals in Berlin, taking the first against Svitolina 6-3!#BTO26 pic.twitter.com/SLm9HjkANR
— wta (@WTA) June 19, 2026
- STRONG START. Alex Eala wins the first set, 6-3, against Elina Svitolina.
- Svitolina saves a set point.
- Eala takes the 40-15 lead to reach set point.
- Alex Eala fires an ace. 15-15 in the ninth game.
- 5-3 advantage now for Alex Eala. One game away from the first set win.
- But Alex Eala rallies and gains the break point.
- Svitolina gaining confidence now, she leads 30-0 in the eight game.
- Svitolina wins back to back games, but down by one against Eala, 4-3.
- Svitolina earns her first break point of the match in the seventh game.
- Svitolina responds with a hold, and pulls within 4-2.
- Svitolina leads Eala 40-15 in the sixth game.
- Alex Eala holds serve for the 4-1 lead.
- Alex Eala serving and she leads 40-0 in the fifth game.
- Svitolina on the board but Eala still leads 1-0.
- Svitolina with an ace. She reaches advantage.
- A blazing 3-0 start for Alex Eala against the World No. 6 and sixth seed.
- But Alex Eala ties it 30-30.
- 30-0 lead for Svitolina in the third game.
- Alex Eala gets the early break vs Svitolina for a 2-0 lead.
- Another 40-15 lead for Eala.
- Svitolina with a double fault to start the second game.
- Alex Eala takes the first game vs Svitolina for the 1-0 lead.
- 40-15 lead for Eala in the first game.
- Alex Eala wins the coin toss and is serving first.
- Players are now being introduced as they make their way to the court.
- Alex Eala vs Elina Svitolina up next.
— wta (@WTA) June 19, 2026
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Alex Eala takes on Elina Svitolina in Berlin Open quarterfinals
Alex Eala in action in the Berlin Open. –BERLIN OPEN PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala faces another tough test in her Berlin Open campaign vs world No. 8 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the quarterfinals on Friday.
The last time Eala and Svitolina shared the court was in the doubles tournament at the ASB Classic. Eala and partner Iva Jovic defeated Svitolina and Venus Williams in the Round of 16.
Svitolina, 31, has 20 singles titles to her name. She recently won the Italian Open and reached the quarterfinals of the French Open. She beat Eva Lys to book her place in the Berlin quarterfinals.
Joining Eala and Svitolina in the quarterfinals are Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Linda Noskova, Aryna Sabalenka and Nikola Bartunkova.
Alex Eala stuns No. 2 Elena Rybakina in Berlin Open
The Philippines’ Alex Eala in action in the Berlin Open. –BERLIN OPEN PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala took down world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, to advance to the quarterfinals of the Berlin Open early Friday (Manila time).
Eala scored her first victory over the reigning Australian Open champion and added Rybakina to her growing list of wins against top-10 players.
The last time the two met, Rybakina defeated Eala on clay at the Italian Open. This time, Eala continued her impressive grass-court run, which included capturing the WTA 125 Birmingham Open title last week.
Eala, a wild card in the WTA 500 tournament, found a way to neutralize the big-hitting Rybakina throughout the match with a strong return game.
Brilliant in Berlin 🌟
Alex Eala continues to shine in her debut here, knocking out Rybakina in straight sets!#BTO26 pic.twitter.com/PwiKaPjy4I
— wta (@WTA) June 18, 2026
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