Alex Eala beats world No. 10 Elina Svitolina, reaches DC Open semifinals

Alexandra "Alex" Eala scored another victory over world No. 10 Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 6-4, in the quarterfinals of the DC Open on Friday (Saturday, Philippine time) to advance to the semifinals.

The two traded games early in the opening set before Eala held serve to take a 4-2 lead. Svitolina trimmed the deficit to 4-3, but the Filipina tennis star won the next two games to clinch the set.

Svitolina came out strong in the second set, racing to a 2-0 advantage. Eala responded by getting on the board before Svitolina restored her two-game cushion. The 20-year-old Filipina then won three straight games to seize a 4-3 lead.

The Ukrainian fought back to level the set at 4-all, but Eala kept her composure, winning the final two games to complete the straight-set victory.

"I think I came in with a great mindset today. I think I was playing really well," Eala said in the post-match interview.

"And of course, Elina hit some good shots. She was being aggressive, especially in that second set. So, I'm really happy that I was able to kind of keep my rhythm."

Eala also previously defeated Svitolina, 6-3, 6-4, in the Berlin Tennis Open quarterfinals last June.

The Filipina ace will take on Naomi Osaka for the first time in her career in the DC Open semifinals.

"She is, of course, such an accomplished player and I think she's made waves on and off the tennis court for so many reasons, and there's so much respect to her for that. And, you know, I'm really excited. I haven't had much time to think about it, but I will definitely think about it after I get off the court," Eala said about Osaka.

HIGHLIGHTS | Alex Eala vs Elina Svitolina

—JKC, GMA News