Alex Eala thrilled to open 2026 with doubles win vs 'pioneers' Venus Williams, Elina Svitolina

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Alex Eala and partner Iva Jovic open their women’s doubles campaign in the ASB Classic with a 7-6, 6-1 win over Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina on Monday, January 5.   Full story: https://www.rappler.com/sports/alex-eala-thrilled-doubles-win-venus-williams-elina-svitolina-asb-classic-january-2026/

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00:00Alex Ayala and partner Iva Jovic opened their women's doubles campaign in the ASB Classic

00:05with a 7-6-6-1 win over Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina on Monday, January 5.

00:11The young duo recovered from a 5-6 deficit in the first set and edged a tiebreak to

00:15beat their more established opponents.

00:18Williams owned seven Grand Slam titles on Olympic gold medal and once held the world

00:21No. 1 ranking.

00:23Meanwhile, Svitolina won the 2018 WTA Tour finals, captured an Olympic bronze medal,

00:29and reached a career-high World No. 3 ranking.

00:32Ayala and Jovic then dominated the second set as they wrapped up the match with Williams

00:36unable to return the serve of the Filipina for the point that sealed the game.

00:40In the singles competition, Ayala will face World No. 17 Dona Vekic in the first round

00:44on Tuesday, January 6.

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