Alex Eala beats Magda Linette to reach ASB Classic semis

Alexandra “Alex” Eala defeated Magda Linette, 6–3, 6–2, in the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic on Friday in Auckland, New Zealand, to advance to the semifinals of the WTA 250 event.

 

 

 

 

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The first set started tight, with Eala and Linette tied at 2–2 before the world No. 53 Filipina won three consecutive games to take a 5–2 lead. The 33-year-old Polish player, ranked No. 52 in the world, managed to hold serve once more, but Eala closed out the set shortly after.

The second set was a different story, as Eala raced to a commanding 4–0 lead before Linette won back-to-back games. Eala then recovered from there to secure the straight-sets victory.

Eala said she was pleased with her continued improvement on tour, particularly against a player of Linette’s caliber.

"Obviously Magda, being such an experienced player, I've had difficulties playing against her before. So I'm happy that I'm seeing my level increase and improve," Eala said in a post-match interview.

Eala reached the quarterfinals after victories over Croatia’s Donna Vekic and Petra Marcinko in the opening rounds of the tournament.

The Filipina ace will next face China’s Xinyu Wang in the semifinals.

Later today, Eala and her doubles partner, Iva Jovic, will take on China’s Yifan Xu and Zhaoxuan Yang in the doubles semifinals.

In 2025, Eala enjoyed a historic season, breaking into the WTA Top 100, capturing her first WTA 125 title in Guadalajara, and winning her first Southeast Asian Games gold medal.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News