Alexandra Eala cruised past Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, 6-1, 6-2, to reach the semifinals of the Lexus Eastbourne Open—her first on grass and second at the tour level following her breakthrough in Miami last March.
The 20-year-old Filipina played with a poise and precision that defied her limited experience on the surface, dismantling the World No. 42 with a commanding baseline game and pinpoint serving. Eala set the tone early, racing to a 5-0 lead before Yastremska could find her footing.
Next up for Eala is France’s Varvara Gracheva, whom she recently defeated in a three-set battle during qualifying in Nottingham. Gracheva reached the Eastbourne semifinals after former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova withdrew due to injury.
The series of victories Eala strung in Eastbourne has been impressive, highlighted by a second-round win over third seed Jelena Ostapenko—who retired in the deciding set after rolling her ankle. While injuries have played a part in her path, the form Eala displayed has made a strong case that she has earned earned every step.
With Wimbledon just around the corner, the rising star seems to be finding her rhythm on grass at the perfect time—positioning herself as a potential dark horse at the All England Club.
For now, Eastbourne awaits—and with it, another chance for Eala to show she belongs among the game’s elite.
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