Eala, partner opens 2026 on high note with upset doubles win at ASB Classic

Alex Eala wasted no time setting the tone for her 2026 season, teaming up with American Iva Jovic to pull off a statement win 7-6(7), 6-1, in the ASB Classic doubles opener in Auckland, New Zealand on Monday, Jan. 5.

The unseeded duo turned back seasoned campaigners Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina, shaking off a tight opening set before asserting control in the second to secure the upset.

The victory marked an encouraging start for Eala as she begins her year-long push on the international circuit. 

The Auckland tilt serves as Eala’s first tournament of the season and a key warm-up ahead of her Australian Open main-draw debut, making the early doubles breakthrough a timely boost as she launches her 2026 campaign on a positive note.

Williams and Svitolina leaned on their experience early, racing to a 5-3 lead in the first set. 

Eala and Jovic refused to back down, clawing back to 5-5, even surviving a 40-15 deficit in the process. 

The tension carried into the tiebreak, where the veterans briefly led 4-3, but Eala and Jovic kept their composure and edged ahead to take the set.

Riding that momentum, the pair dominated the second frame, quickly building a 5-1 lead and never letting the seasoned duo back into the match, sealing a statement-opening victory for the young campaigners.

The pair now move on to the quarterfinals, where they await the winner between top seeds Asia Muhammad and Erin Routliffe, and the tandem of Jesika Maleckova and Renata Zarazua. 

For Eala, however, focus quickly shifts back to singles action as she opens her campaign against Donna Vekic on Jan. 6.