Lance Joseph Martinez

Major Upset! Alex Eala Stuns World No. 2 Elena Rybakina in Berlin, Credits Victory to Her Bravery

Article (news)

<p>A major upset unfolded on the grass courts of Berlin—and Filipinos couldn’t get enough of it.</p><p>Filipina tennis sensation<strong> Alex Eala </strong>delivered another career-defining moment after stunning World No. 2 <strong>Elena Rybakina</strong> of <strong>Kazakhstan</strong> in the Round of 16 of the <strong>WTA 500 Berlin Open</strong> on Friday (Philippine time).</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781833322087[image] - 6872106.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @wta</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>From the opening serve, the match was a showcase of power and composure. Elena came out firing with two aces to seize an early advantage, but Alex quickly answered with a commanding service game of her own, setting the tone for what would become a thrilling showdown.</p><p>As momentum swung back and forth between the two stars, the World No. 35 held her nerve when it mattered most. Alex edged ahead at 6-5 before claiming the opening set, 7-5, with confidence.</p><p>The Filipina standout carried that momentum into the second set, where her impressive serving and ability to capitalize on Elena&#x27;s unforced errors proved to be the difference. Maintaining her composure throughout, Alex completed one of the biggest victories of her career with a commanding straight-sets triumph, 7-5, 6-4.</p><p>With the statement win, Alex books her place in the quarterfinals, where she is set to take on World No. 8 <strong>Elina Svitolina</strong> of <strong>Ukraine</strong>.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZvD7bnNb6_/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A778786%2C%22ls%22%3A778235%2C%22le%22%3A778781.0000000001%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px" spellcheck="false"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong>For Alex, it’s always about her family</strong></div><p>Alex Eala’s journey to becoming one of the brightest stars in Philippine tennis has always been backed by the unwavering love and support of her family. Long before she became the Alex Eala known around the world, her parents have stood by her side through every triumph and challenge.</p><p>And after pulling off the biggest victory of her career at the Berlin Open, the Filipina tennis sensation made sure to celebrate the moment with the people who have been with her from the very beginning. Although her family was not physically present on the grass courts of Berlin, they were watching from afar, and Alex immediately reached out to them after her stunning win.</p><p>“I called my dad. I don’t know. I said ‘Oh my God.’ We were just screaming. My mom was there too. I’m really happy,” she shared during her post-match interview.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781833421065HLHTtiUXoAAHuZz.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @wta</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Still trying to process her monumental upset victory, Alex candidly admitted that everything had yet to fully sink in. “I’m a little foggy right now. I think I’m still shaking. I was shaking on match point. I’m really happy with today,” she said.</p><p>Despite defeating one of the best players in the world, the humble 21-year-old remained full of gratitude, acknowledging that the match could have gone either way because of how tightly contested it was.</p><p>“Of course she’s an amazing player. She’s the one to beat. I’m happy to have been able to share the court with her again,” Alex said of Elena Rybakina.</p><p>After falling behind 4-1 early in the opening set, Alex revealed what was going through her mind as she tried to weather the storm against the powerful Kazakh star.</p><p>“She really started on fire and came out hot. I think I was able to get a couple of free points with my serve, and that helped. And just some good returns…. I don’t know how many aces she had in the first couple of games, so getting points in play was a big help for me,” she recalled.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781833449445HLHTtiWWEAEYQpy.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @wta</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>When asked about the key to returning against one of the most dangerous servers on tour, Alex’s answer was simple: bravery.</p><p>“I think you have to give yourself grace while also being brave. I think returning and my game in general—a highlight word would be to be brave. And it makes a big difference when I’m able to do that,” she concluded.</p><p>With courage and composure guiding her throughout the match, Alex’s inspiring victory propelled her into the quarterfinals, marking yet another milestone in her amazing career.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZvGIz8O1Az/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A869153%2C%22ls%22%3A778235%2C%22le%22%3A778781.0000000001%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@wta</strong></p>

<p>Alex Eala notched another major breakthrough in her tennis career after pulling off an upset against the World No. 2, describing the victory as an act of bravery despite the odds being stacked against her.</p>

Alex Eala notched another major breakthrough in her tennis career after pulling off an upset against the World No. 2, describing the victory as an act of bravery despite the odds being stacked against her.