Alexandra Eala defeated world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, at the 2026 Berlin Open. The result is the 21-year-old Filipina's biggest win on grass this season.
Alexandra Eala Ousts Elena Rybakina at the WTA 500 Grass Event
Elena Rybakina dictated play early, jumping out to a 4-1 lead in the opening set with her serve and power. But Alexandra Eala recalibrated her returns and began redirecting the ball to pull Rybakina wide.
The adjustment rattled the No. 2 seed, who piled up unforced errors down the stretch. Eala subsequently reeled off five games to claim the set. And from there, the world No. 35 never let up.
An early break in the second set gave Eala a 5-3 edge. Rybakina fought off a match point to stay alive for one more game, but Eala closed it out on serve.
The win is Eala's second career victory over a Top 2 player. She moves on to face No. 6 seed Elina Svitolina next in the quarterfinals.
For Rybakina, the loss extends a rough stretch that includes a second-round French Open exit and a quarterfinal Queen's Club loss. She sits at 1-2 on grass this year, with Bad Homburg and Wimbledon still ahead.
