Published July 29, 2026 6:07pm <\/p>\n
Add GMA on Google <\/a> <\/p>\n Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google. <\/p>\n Alexandra “Alex” Eala<\/a> continued proving herself as a giant slayer after taking down another powerhouse in China’s Zheng Qinwen in the first round of the Mubadala DC Open.<\/p>\n Eala defeated Zheng, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1<\/a>, to advance to the Round of 16.<\/p>\n With the victory, Eala has now defeated all three singles medalists from the 2024 Paris Olympics.<\/p>\n Zheng is the reigning Olympic gold medalist and also won gold at the 2022 Asian Games. She slipped in the WTA rankings after undergoing elbow surgery last year.<\/p>\n READ MORE | Who is Zheng Qinwen?<\/a><\/p>\n Eala has also beaten Croatia’s Donna Vekic, who won the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.<\/p>\n The Filipina first defeated Vekic in the Round of 32 of the ASB Classic earlier this year<\/a>, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, before beating her again in the Round of 32 of the Berlin Tennis Open, 7-5, 6-4.<\/a><\/p>\n Poland’s Iga Swiatek claimed the bronze medal in Paris, and Eala has defeated her twice in three career meetings.<\/p>\n Eala first stunned Swiatek at the Miami Open last year, 6-2, 7-5<\/a>, before beating her again at Wimbledon this year, 7-6(9), 6-2.<\/a><\/p>\n The victories add to Eala’s growing list of wins over top-10 players, further fueling her rise and historic achievements early in her career.<\/p>\n READ MORE | Alex Eala’s wins vs top 10 players: A look at her biggest victories<\/a><\/p>\n