Philippines Alexandra Eala returns a ball to Czech Republic’s Linda Noskova during their women’s singles semi-final match on the WTA500 Berlin Tennis Open tournament in Berlin on June 20, 2026. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala saw her run on the Berlin Open end within the semifinals after falling to Linda Noskova, 6-2, 6-4, early Sunday (Manila time).
Eala, a wildcard within the WTA 500 tournament, was outplayed by the world No. 13 from Czechia within the opening set of the rain-delayed match but got here alive within the second to provide Noskova a scare.
The Filipino tennis ace won three straight games to drag ahead, 4-3, but Noskova, buoyed by her strong returning, quickly regained control and closed out the match in a single hour and nine minutes.
“I just had to regulate my game today, perhaps a bit bit, due to rain and perhaps the temperature dropped a bit bit. The court was perhaps a bit bit slower, but because the match went on and we hit latest balls, I sort of began to feel higher and higher,” she said.
Profession milestone unlocked 🔓
Noskova defeats Eala in straight sets and is into her first grass court final.#BTO26 pic.twitter.com/OCmESIVCYl
— wta (@WTA) June 20, 2026
The result was a repeat of their meeting at Indian Wells in March, where Noskova also defeated Eala.
Noskova now faces American Jessica Pegula, who earlier ousted world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, in the ultimate.
It was still a powerful campaign in Berlin for Eala, who further enhanced her fame as a giant-slayer by adding two top-10 players to her list of victims on the WTA Tour.
She opened her campaign by beating Queen’s Club champion Donna Vekić before eliminating world No. 2 Elena Rybakina and world No. 8 Elina Svitolina en path to the Final 4.
Eala now turns her attention to the Bad Homburg Open, which begins Monday, as she continues her preparations for Wimbledon later this month.