Alex Eala Survives Another Thriller, Books Quarterfinal Spot in Suzhou

by Misha Cruz

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala. Photo: Imago.

Filipina tennis pride Alex Eala just proved once again that she’s built different. 

On Wednesday, the 20-year-old star powered her way into the quarterfinals of the Suzhou WTA 125 after grinding out a marathon win against Belgium’s Greet Minnen, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 7-5.

The match lasted three hours and 18 minutes — yes, three hours of pure nerve and heart — with Eala digging deep in the deciding set to seal the victory. It was the kind of battle that tested every ounce of her patience, stamina, and fire, but Alex didn’t blink.

Belgium's Greet Minnen. Photo: DH Sports.

And get this — it’s her second straight three-set escape this week. She already went the distance in her opener versus Poland’s Katarzyna Kawa, rallying to take it 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Talk about clutch mode activated.

Scenes from Alex Eala’s win vs Greet Minnen in the Suzhou Open 🔥

She will next face 6th seed and World No. 70 VIKTORIJA GOLUBIC in the QF.

Golubic is 32 yrs old with a 25/20 W/L record this year.

🎥 Rizza Eala pic.twitter.com/vyCoHTOoBO

— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) October 1, 2025

Up next, things don’t get any easier. Eala is set to face Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic (not Serbia, btw!) in the quarters. Golubic has been cruising, dismantling Linda Fruhvirtová, 6-2, 6-0. But if there’s one thing we know about Alex, it’s that she loves a challenge.

Two epic wins down, and the quarterfinals now calling. Buckle up, Eala fans — this Suzhou run is starting to feel special.

Alex Eala. Photo: Imago.