Alexandra Eala defeated Donna Vekic 7-5, 6-4 on Tuesday at the Berlin Open. The win advances the Filipina to a second meeting this season with Elena Rybakina.
Eala trailed 2-0 early before recovering against the reigning Queen’s Club champion. She saved three break points while serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set.
“I told myself that she’s fighting back, but I’m also a fighter,” Eala said after the match. She added that she focused on forgetting the previous point and staying in the moment.
The victory featured seven aces and 12 of 14 break points saved. Eala had won the Birmingham title the previous week.
Rybakina defeated Eala 6-4, 6-3 in Rome last month. Their Berlin match will take place later this week.