Filipina Alex Eala defeated world No. 2 Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-4 in the Berlin Open round of 16 on June 18. The 21-year-old advanced to the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 event.
Eala, ranked world No. 35, overcame an early 4-1 deficit against Rybakina. She won three straight games to level at 4-4 before taking the first set.
In the second set, Eala broke serve once to secure the victory in one hour and 31 minutes. A backhand error from Rybakina sealed the result.
Eala said after the match: “I’m really happy with today. It could have gone either way.” She will face world No. 8 Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals on June 19.