Alex Eala off to ASB Classic semifinals after defeating Poland's Magda Linette

After defeating Poland's Magda Linette in their largely one-sided ASB Classic quarterfinal match on Friday, Jan. 9, Alex Eala is now geared up for the WTA semifinals. 

Eala, 20, dominated fifth seed Linette throughout the two-set match, 6-3, 6-2, to become the first-ever Filipino player—both in the men's and women's division—to get into the championship round of the WTA Tour-level singles division tournament. 

The Filipina, a crowd favorite at the sunny Aukland open court, rallied strong, beginning with a 4-0 run before Linette cut down the lead by 2. In the last game, however, Eala forged on, reaching match point and securing a slot in the semifinals. 

"It feels so good. Thank you, everybody, for being here," Eala said when asked about her victory.

"I did my best. I do what I can, and if I see an opening, I think it's important that I go for it. Today was difficult, obviously, Magda being such an experienced player. I had difficulties playing against her before. So I'm happy that I've seen my level increase and my level improve," she added.

The world no. 53 is set to face China's Wang Xinyu in her first semi-final run in this year's ASB Classic. 

It has been a stellar run for Eala so far in the ASB Classic, formerly known as the Aukland Open, which is a WTA 250 tournament in New Zealand.