Alex Eala`s performance on the windy grass courts of Eastbourne proved more powerful than the breeze itself.
The young Filipina tennis player confidently continued her successful run on grass courts, securing a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory over Ukrainian athlete Dayana Yastremska. This result earned her a spot in the semifinals of the WTA 250 Eastbourne Open. The day before, Eala had already caused an upset by eliminating world No. 20 Jelena Ostapenko, confirming her status as one of the promising and dangerous players in women`s tennis.
Despite the windy weather, the 20-year-old Eala showed remarkable composure. She effectively neutralized Yastremska`s power with her deep and consistent return shots. The overall advantage in points won (57 against 37) clearly demonstrates the Filipina`s absolute dominance on the court, marking a truly one-sided affair.
Eala flawlessly converted all seven of her break point opportunities. Moreover, she committed only 10 unforced errors, while her opponent (world No. 42) made 24. Her excellent court awareness and solid defense allowed Eala to quickly take the initiative and control the match from start to finish.
This is already Eala`s second semifinal appearance at a WTA-level tournament in her career. Her first significant performance was at the Miami Open in 2025, where she first made a name for herself on the world stage with a breakout showing.
Having secured five consecutive wins on grass, Eala will now face Varvara Gracheva from France (world No. 111) in the semifinals. This match presents a good opportunity for the young Filipina to reach her first WTA tournament final and will serve as excellent preparation for her upcoming debut at Wimbledon.
Marcus Bellamy