Alex Eala finally solves Magda Linette puzzle en route to ASB Classic semis

MANILA, Philippines – Magda Linette of Poland has not been a kind matchup for Alex Eala, losing to her in their first two encounters. 

But on Friday, January 9, in the ASB Classic quarterfinal, Eala shut the door on past heartbreak, finally taking down Linette to reach the semifinal of the tournament in Auckland, New Zealand.

“It feels so good,” Eala said after a 6-3, 6-2 win to score her first-ever victory against the current world No. 52 Linette. 

The 20-year-old Filipino lost to Linette when she was just 18 during the 2024 WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open, 7-6(4), 6-1.

They met again in the WTA 250 Lexus Nottingham Open last June 2025, where Linette reasserted her mastery once more on Eala, 6-4, 6-3. 

In Auckland, Eala flipped the script and made sure it was her turn to sweep.

“Today is difficult. Obviously, Magda is such an experienced player, and I’ve had difficulties playing against her before,” she said. “I’m happy seeing my level (of competitiveness) increase and improve.”

“I do my best. I do what I can. And just if I see an opening, I think it’s important that I go for it.”

Eala, now ranked 53rd in the world, just one spot behind Linette, won three straight games to take a 5-2 lead in the first set and never looked back, finishing off the Polish in the ninth game. 

Eala continued her dominance in the second set, winning the first four games before Linette attempted to close the gap at 4-2. 

The Filipino then kept her composure to ward off Linette’s rally to take the win and punch her semifinal ticket in 1 hour and 37 minutes. 

Initially seen as merely a warm-up for the Australian Open, Eala now nears the tournament’s title, as she will next face China’s Xinyu Wang in the semifinal. 

Another victory would propel Eala to her second WTA 250 final and potentially give her a shot at a championship in just her first tournament in 2026. – Rappler.com