Alex Eala and Iva Jovic are semis-bound in the 2026 WTA 250 ASB Classic via walkover. A walkover is when a player advances to the next round without playing a match because their opponent withdraws before the match begins.
Malečková–Zarazúa Duo Withdraws
Eala and Jovic were slated to play the duo of Jesika Malečková and Renata Zarazúa in the quarterfinals. However, Malečková and Zarazúa decided to withdraw from the event for still-unannounced reasons.
The pair of Malečková and Zarazúa had previously defeated the tandem of Erin Routliffe and Asia Muhammad, 3-6, 6-2, 12-10, in the Round of 16. Malečková, a 31-year-old Czech, is ranked No. 72 in doubles, while her teammate, Zarazúa, a 28-year-old Mexican, is ranked No. 84.
Alex Eala and Jovic Through to the Semifinals
The Eala-Jovic tandem will now be taking on the Chinese duo of Zhaoxuan Yang and Yifan Xu in the semis. Xu and Yang previously defeated the pair of Isabelle Haverlag and Maia Lumsden in the quarterfinals, 4-6, 6-1, 10-5.
The Eala-Jovic versus Xu-Yang semifinals match is set to be played on Saturday, January 10, with the time still to be determined.
Youth vs. Experience, Round 2
Both Alex Eala and Iva Jovic are now granted extra rest before their semifinals battle, which means they can prepare more.
Their upcoming match should be both compelling and exciting as they go up against a pair of highly ranked players who have known each other for a long time. Xu is ranked No. 40, while Yang is No. 44, and the two have already teamed up in 11 events, going all the way back to 2021 when they first paired up.
In contrast, this is the first time Alex Eala and Iva Jovic have partnered, and while they’ve shown flashes of brilliance, they are still likely adjusting to being partners on the court.
In other words, it will be youth vs. experience yet again, with a dash of chemistry favoring the Chinese pair.
Eala and Jovic have already proven that youth can overcome experience after beating the veteran pairing of Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina earlier in the tournament. The two young sensations are hoping for a repeat against Xu and Yang—with a spot in the finals at stake, no less.
