Alex Eala of the Philippines moves one step closer to capturing her first WTA 500 title by stunning world No. 8 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the quarterfinal round of the Berlin Open early Saturday morning (Manila time).
The 35th ranked Eala defeated the 2020 Olympics bronze medalist in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, to reach the semifinal round.
On Friday, Eala scored the biggest upset win in his tennis career by defeating No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the round of 16.
Eala, who has won two WTA 125 titles, will next face No. 13 Linda Noskova of Chech Republic in the final four.
The other semifinals pairing is between No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and No. 3 Jessica Pegula of the United States.
