Alex Eala Opens 2026 With Statement Doubles Win Over Venus Williams at WTA Auckland
By: The Good News Pilipinas Team
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Published on: January 6, 2026
Alex Eala celebrates a point during her doubles match at the WTA Auckland ASB Classic in New Zealand. Image screencap from WTA video.
Filipina tennis player Alex Eala opened her 2026 season with a confidence-boosting doubles victory at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. Competing in the doubles Round of 16 on Monday, January 5, Eala and her partner, American Iva Jović, defeated the experienced pairing of Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina in straight sets, 7-6(7), 6-1.
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The win stood out for its contrast in experience. Eala and Jović, both 19 years old on average, prevailed against opponents who together hold six Olympic medals. The match lasted one hour and 29 minutes at the WTA 250 tournament and saw the younger duo hold firm under pressure, including saving seven set points in the opening set before closing out the tiebreak, 9-7. From there, they carried the momentum into the second set and allowed only one more game.
“I had such a good time on court,” Eala said in a post-game interview. “I think we had a lot of fun, and just to start the year with such a moment like this, and sharing the court with two pioneers of the sport — off the court as well — people I’ve looked up to since I was young… I’m so happy.”
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With the Round of 16 win, Eala and Jović advanced safely into the quarterfinals, where they await either top seeds Asia Muhammad and Erin Routliffe or the team of Jesika Malečková and Renata Zarazua. Eala is also set to shift her focus to singles competition in Auckland, where she faces Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Donna Vekić in the opening round.
All four players from the doubles match continue their build-up to the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season, where Williams, a four-time doubles champion, is competing on a wildcard entry.
The following photo set from WTA captures Alex Eala and her partner in action during the Round of 16 match.
Read more uplifting stories about Filipino athletes and global achievements on GoodNewsPilipinas.com.