Match report: Philippines’ Eala dominates Australia’s Cabrera in UK grass court showdown

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala dug deep to earn her first grass court victory of the season, defeating Australia’s Lizette Cabrera in a tightly contested match, 7–6 (5), 6–3 in Great Britain.

The win didn't come easy — far from it. 

From the first game, both players traded powerful baseline shots and strategic rallies, with Cabrera showing resilience and creativity, especially with a series of well-placed drop shots that repeatedly caught Eala off guard. 

But the 20-year-old from the Philippines stayed composed and held her nerve during key moments.

The opening set was a rollercoaster. 

Eala jumped out to an early lead, but Cabrera clawed her way back with aggressive returns and soft hands at the net. 

The set eventually went to a tiebreak, where Eala steadied her serve and pulled through with a 7–5 edge, closing the door on any late momentum Cabrera hoped to build.

In the second set, Eala looked increasingly comfortable on the surface, using her strong court coverage and consistent shotmaking to dictate play. 

While Cabrera continued to fight — breaking serve once and threatening to turn the tide — Eala held strong. 

She stayed aggressive behind her first serve and took control of the longer rallies, closing out the match with a confident hold at 6–3.

Final Score:

Alex Eala def. Lizette Cabrera – 7–6 (5), 6–3

The win marks a key confidence-boosting win for Eala as she transitions into the grass season, a surface she’s been looking to improve on. 

Her composure under pressure and improved shot selection were clear positives, and she’ll look to carry that momentum into the next round.