Alex Eala credited her improved mindset and emotional balance as keys to her dominant quarterfinal win over World No. 42 Dayana Yastremska, sending her to the 2025 Eastbourne Open semifinals.
Alex Eala continues to prove she is more than just a one-tournament wonder.
The 20-year-old Filipina tennis sensation powered into the semifinals of the 2025 Eastbourne Open with a resounding 6-1, 6-2 victory over Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska on Thursday, June 26—her most commanding performance yet in a WTA quarterfinal.
But while her forehands were crisp and her court movement sharp, Eala said it’s her mental game that’s been the true difference.
“I think, more than anything, it's just the mentality,” Eala said after the match. “Of course, with these great players and these tough conditions, it could be hard to balance that patience and the will to go for the ball. So, I think I did that well throughout the whole week.”
Eala, currently ranked World No. 74, took control early against the No. 42-ranked Yastremska, dictating points from the baseline and forcing errors with relentless pressure. She closed out the match in just over an hour, sealing her spot in the semifinals with confidence.
The calm demeanor she showed belied the pressure of the moment—something Eala attributed to her personal growth both on and off the court.
“I don't know. I'm only 20, yeah. But it's been a long road already, although it's only the start of my career,” Eala reflected. “I have a lot of experience, you know, with getting to know myself. So I think that's a big part of how I handle myself.”
[ALSO READ: Alex Eala embraces role as trailblazer, says Philippine Tennis ‘can be a big thing’]
Eala also drew on lessons from her Miami Open semifinal run earlier this year, a breakthrough that propelled her into the sport’s global spotlight.
“I learned so much from that week,” she said. “A lot about self-belief and how to handle my emotions when things are going really well, as well as when things are going really bad. To pump yourself up when you're doing bad and to keep yourself humble when you're doing well is part of that balance.”
[ALSO READ: Impressive records and stats that Alex Eala set in her Cinderella Miami Open run]
Eala now faces Varvara Gracheva of France in the semifinals, whom she had just faced in the Nottingham Open just two weeks ago.
One win away from her first WTA final on the grass, Eala remains focused, composed, and, above all, mentally ready.