Alex Eala breaks two-game skid against former No. 19 Magda Linette to power into ASB Classic semifinals

Alexa Eala continued her breakout run at the ASB Classic in Auckland, booking a place in the semifinals after outlasting Poland’s Magda Linette, 6–3, 6–2, in a composed and authoritative quarterfinal win on Center Court.

The 20-year-old Filipina once again showed her growing comfort on the WTA stage, controlling large stretches of the match with aggressive returning and steady serving to neutralize the experience of the former world No. 19. Eala set the tone early, breaking Linette multiple times and never allowing the Polish veteran to settle into a rhythm.

This is the third time that the two had faced as Eala encountered the Polish veteran in the Nottingham Open where she lost 6-4, 6-3 in straight sets, and in the Abu Dhabi Open where the then 19-year-old lost 7-6, 6-1. 

This becomes the first time Eala had won a set against Linette and in doing so won the match in straight sets this time around. 

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The SEA Games gold medalist only allowed Linette to win five games in the entire match, storming to a 4-0 lead at one point to start the second set. 

The victory builds on an impressive week for Eala, who earlier scored the biggest singles win of her career by upsetting former world No. 17 Donna Vekić, 4–6, 6–4, 6–4, before cruising past Petra Marčinko, 6–0, 6–2, in the Round of 16.

Across those three matches, international tennis coverage has pointed to her improved shot tolerance, fearless returning, and growing composure under pressure as clear signs of her rapid development.

Eala now advances to the semifinals, where she will face China’s Xinyu Wang who is currently ranked no. 57 in the world. Wang had previously beaten Francesca Jones of Great Britain in straight sets. 

The Filipina will return at Center Court later today for the doubles semifinals as Eala and Jovic take on the Chinese duo of Zhaoxuan Yang and Yifan Xu. 

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