Eala takes another big scalp in World No. 2 Rybakina
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala, slayer of World No. 2 tennisters.
Eala bagged another big fish in the tennis world, this time in the Berlin Open, after sweeping World No. 2 Elena Rybakina in a stunner, 7-5, 6-4 early Friday morning (Manila time) in Germany.
Rybakina is the second second-ranked tennis player Eala defeated. The Filipina, last year, defeated Iga Swiatek in the Miami Open, which flung her to the semifinal of the tournament.
This time around, Eala is off to the quarterfinal of the WTA 500 tourney.
The 21-year-old Eala fell behind 4-1 in the first set, as Rybakina punched in several aces early.
But the Filipina, ranked 35th in the world, equalized the set with three straight games.
Rybakina then held her serve in the ninth game to push her from within a game from the first set, 5-4.
But Eala won the next three games to take the 1-0 lead, 7-5.
The FIlipina giant slayer, then, jumped to a 4-2 lead in the second set.
But the Kazakh player tried to close the gap, making it a 3-4 set, before Eala held her serve to make it a 5-3 advantage.
Rybakina kept herself alive, but Eala would not be denied and held her serve for the victory, 6-4, after an hour and 32 minutes.
The pride of the Philippines will now be facing Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals.
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