Published August 2, 2026 3:25pm <\/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 Alex Eala<\/a> grew up watching Naomi Osaka banner the Asian pride on the WTA stage with the Japanese star winning four Grand Slam titles.<\/p>\n On Saturday in Washington D.C., the 21-year-old Filipina went from watching Osaka dominate the sport to facing the former world No. 1 herself, going toe-to-toe with Japanese star at the DC Open semifinals.<\/p>\n Eala made sure to overcome not only Osaka’s power, but also the aura that has made the latter one of the sport’s most intimidating figures on court.<\/p>\n “Yes, she does. She definitely has aura, and she definitely has power, I can tell you,” Eala said in an interview with the Tennis Channel after her 6-4, 6-2 victory against Osaka<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Yes, I remember watching her finals in the Australian Open and also in the US Open, so really a great experience to share the court with her. I’m really happy that I was able to produce that level against her.”<\/p>\n Eala did it in a way that kept Osaka from playing her usual game.<\/p>\n Osaka is considered among the best servers on Tour and that was on full display in her semifinals bout against Eala, where she unleashed five aces against the Filipina’s one.<\/p>\n Eala, however, held the edge in several key areas, including first-serve and second-serve percentages, while also showcasing the vastly-improved return game that has become one of her biggest strengths this season.<\/p>\n “It really depends on the moment because there are so many factors when it comes to returning,” Eala added.<\/p>\n “At the end of the day, you don’t know what serve is going to come at you, right?You have to be ready for anything, but I try to do best what I can control. Whatever I can control, I try to do my 100%.”<\/p>\n