Filipina tennis ace Alexandra "Alex" Eala kicked off her 2026 season with a thrilling and hard-fought victory at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. The 20-year-old phenom showcased remarkable resilience to overcome Croatian veteran and Paris Olympics silver medalist Donna Vekić in a three-set marathon, securing her spot in the tournament's Round of 16.
A Battle of Nerves and Skill
The match, held on Tuesday night, January 6, 2026, at the Manuka Doctor Arena, was a true test of endurance lasting two hours and 40 minutes. Seeded fourth and ranked World No. 53, Eala started strong, seizing an early 3-0 lead in the opening set. However, the experienced Vekić, a former world No. 17, demonstrated her class by winning six of the next seven games to claim the first set 6-4.
Refusing to be discouraged, Eala mounted a fierce comeback in the second set. She steadied her service game and took advantage of Vekić's inconsistency, which included nine double faults over the course of the match. Eala leveled the contest by taking the second set 6-4, forcing a decisive third set where the momentum swung wildly.
Electric Crowd Fuels Filipina Star
With the final set locked at 3-3, Eala found an extra burst of energy and precision. She broke Vekić's serve twice in the closing stages to clinch a monumental 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory. The ASB Classic media reported an "electric" atmosphere, largely driven by a passionate and vocal local Filipino community whose support visibly impacted the match's tension.
In a moving post-match interview, an emotional Eala dedicated her second-half surge to the fans. "If there’s one thing I’ve learned in 2025, it’s that home is the people and not the place," Eala stated. "It’s so amazing just to have all these people show up. It definitely adds to the tension, the atmosphere and obviously the emotions after the match. So I’m grateful."
Momentum Builds for Next Challenge
This significant singles win comes hot on the heels of another high-profile achievement. Just a day earlier, Eala and her American doubles partner, Iva Jovic, scored a win over tennis legends Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina.
Eala's path in the ASB Classic now leads to the second round, where she is set to face another Croatian opponent, Petra Marcinko. Marcinko, ranked World No. 82, earned her place with a three-set victory over Camila Osorio. The stage is set for another compelling chapter in Eala's promising 2026 campaign.
