Eala tames Svitolina anew to reach DC Open semis

CEBU, Philippines — Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala reasserted her mastery over world No.10 Elina Svitolina to advance to the semifinals of Mubadala DC Open 2026 on Saturday (August 1, Philippine time) at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, DC.

The 21-year-old Eala swept past the second seed from Ukraine in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4 to march into the tournament’s Final Four.

Interestingly, the world No.28 Eala also beat the 31-year-old Svitolina with the same scoreline to reach the Berlin Open semis last June.

Eala will next face world no.13 Naomi Osaka of Japan for a place in the final.

Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, rolled into the semis after ousting Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. — (FREEMAN)