Alex Eala relishes chance to share court with tennis’ top stars

Alex Eala prepares to serve. —AFP

Alex Eala went on another giant-slaying run, this time in the Berlin Open in Germany, and even as her star continues to rise in the international tennis world, there is one thing that remains constant.

The 21-year-old Filipino sensation never takes for granted the opportunities she gets to play against the best in the world.

The world No. 35, a wildcard in the tournament, defeated World No. 8 Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 6-4, to reach the final four and she immediately paid tribute to her foe.

Major upset

“Elina is a huge fighter, and I’ve seen it many times,” Eala said in her on-court interview after the match on Friday, Berlin time. “I’ve been watching her since I was a kid, so to be able to compete with her today is such an honor, and I really admire her. She’s a mother, and I find her to act with such elegance and strength, and I’m really lucky to have had this match today.”

At press time, Eala was battling eighth seed Linda Noskova, who defeated Spanish wildcard Paula Badosa 6-1, 6-3 earlier on Friday.

Before her quarterfinal victory against Svitolina, Eala created the tournament’s biggest shock, as she upset world number two Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals on Thursday, a win that came at the heels of her triumph over Queen’s Club champion Donna Vekic in the first round.

And as expected, Eala did not just pay tribute to her opponent but took note of what those opportunities to share the court with the top stars of her sport meant to her.

Nothing new

“She’s the one to beat, so I’m happy to have been able to share the court with her again,” she said.

“I am a little foggy right now,” Eala said in her on-court interview. “I’m still shaking, and I was shaking on match point, too. But I’m really happy with today, of course. It could have gone either way. I think there were really tight moments in both sets, and she’s an amazing player.”

Bundling out the top seeds of women’s tennis is nothing new to Eala, who began her rise to tennis stardom as she ripped through top-10 opponents in last year’s Miami Open.

Since then, she has been one of the most sought-after athletes in the tennis world, with her matches always packing venues worldwide. —INQUIRER SPORTS STAFF