Alexandra Eala dismantled Magda Linette in straight sets to punch her ticket to the ASB Classic singles semifinals in Auckland.
The Filipino teenager delivered a tidy performance that swallowed previous results and reset expectations, and the details of her singles sprint and doubles setback are worth a closer look as the tournament heads into its business end.
Eala’s Singles Surge
It feels so good, thank you, everybody, for being here.
Alexandra Eala
Eala wrapped up a straight-sets quarterfinal win, defeating Magda Linette 6-3, 6-2 to reach the semifinals of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, and she did it in just one hour and 32 minutes.
The victory was notable because Linette had beaten Eala in their two previous meetings at the 2024 WTA Abu Dhabi Open and the 2025 Lexus Nottingham Open, so the result felt like a small reversal of form and a confidence booster.
Eala entered the match as the world No. 53rd player while Linette sat at No. 52, a narrow gap on paper that did not show on the scoreboard in Auckland as Eala dictated many of the rallies.
She acknowledged the challenge courtside and later added that victory was about progress, saying, “I am happy that my level increased and improved,” a tidy summary of how small lifts can translate into big results at this level.
Semifinal Draw And What Comes Next
Up next for Eala is a date with 24-year-old Wang Xiyu, who stands between her and a shot at the Auckland title, giving Eala a clear path to test whether this run can turn into the headline match every young star dreams about.
The matchup will be intriguing partly because Wang brings a different style of aggression and rhythm, and partly because Eala will be trying to maintain momentum on relatively quick turnaround against another hungry opponent.
With a semifinal slot on the line, court management and energy conservation matter as much as shotmaking, and Eala will need to balance that sprightly offense with smarter point construction to get past Wang and into the final.
Doubles: Close But Not Enough
Eala paired with Iva Jovic in doubles and the young duo staged a real fight before falling to the experienced Chinese pairing of Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan, losing 7-5, 6-3 in the semifinals.
The first set featured back-and-forth rallies and Eala and Jovic evened things at 5-5 before Xu and Yang tightened up their game in the clutch to take the opener and then control the second set from the front.
The loss does not read like failure; it reads like a learning opportunity. Eala and Jovic traded blows with a pair that knows how to close, and their fight showed that Eala is versatile enough to compete in both singles and doubles at this level.
X u Yifan remains a doubles stalwart, a 37-year-old specialist with a career-high of No. 7 in the doubles rankings and an impressive haul of 14 career doubles titles, including big wins at high-tier events that make her a formidable partner.
Xu’s résumé includes victories at marquee WTA 1000 events such as Miami and Indian Wells, and that sort of pedigree often decides tight doubles ties where composure and pattern play become the currency of success.
Eala, 20, and partner Iva Jovic, 22, showed encouraging signs despite the semifinal loss, and the experience should feed into Eala’s singles mindset as she prepares for another tough day on court to chase the title.
The ASB Classic is a tidy staging ground for rising players to test themselves against veterans, and Eala’s week in Auckland blends a statement singles win with a doubles run that reinforces her growing reputation as an all-court competitor.
Win or lose in the semifinal, the takeaway is simple: Eala is producing the kind of results that make followers take notice, and the mix of youth, shotmaking and improving match play suggests she will be a regular name in deeper draws this season.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
