By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense tennis star Alexandra Eala opened her campaign at the 2026 ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand on a positive note after she and partner Iva Jović secured a massive first round win in the women’s doubles competition on Monday, January 5.

Eala and Jović defeated the star-studded tandem of Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina in the Round of 16 at Center Court, prevailing in straight sets, 7-6 (9), 6-1.

Eala and Jović edged out Williams and Svitolina in a tight opening set via a tiebreak before taking control in the second, where they pulled away decisively.

Match statistics showed Eala and Jović holding an edge in key areas, including first-serve percentage and break-point conversions, allowing them to limit the chances of the Williams-Svitolina duo and close out the contest efficiently.

The win sends Eala and Jović into the quarterfinals of the WTA 250 tournament, which serves as a key warm-up event ahead of the Australian Open.

“Thank you so much for supporting me and Iva. I had such a good time on court,” the Negros Occidental’s Victorias City native Eala said in a post-game interview, while also thanking her 18-year-old partner.

“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 court, and pioneers off the court as well — people I looked up to since I was young. I’m so happy to be able to share this moment with you and all of you guys,” she added.

The 20-year-old Eala is also campaigning in the singles event, where she will face Croatia’s Donna Vekić in the opening round./CJ, WDJ