Elena Rybakina vs Alexandra Eala Prediction 6/18/2026 Today’s Tennis Picks

Second seed Elena Rybakina faces a tough test against Alexandra Eala in the second round of the 2026 Berlin Open. The match is scheduled for Thursday, June 18. Rybakina has lost 3 of her last 5 matches and was knocked out early at Queen’s Club. Will the Kazakhstani turn it around in Berlin, where she has reached the quarterfinals in each of the last two years? Here’s our Elena Rybakina vs Alexandra Eala prediction. This preview will also include an Elena Rybakina vs Alexandra Eala pick.

Elena Rybakina vs Alexandra Eala Preview

Elena Rybakina enters the 2026 Berlin Open as the number two seed. She is ranked at a career-high World No. 2 and could battle Elena Rybakina for the No. 1 ranking in the coming weeks. Rybakina is making her fifth appearance in Berlin. She has reached the quarterfinals in the past two years. Last year, she suffered one of her most heartbreaking defeats against Aryna Sabalenka, having held match points.

Rybakina won this year’s Australian Open and added a second title during the clay swing in the WTA 500 event in Stuttgart. But she had a poor French Open where she was knocked out in the second round against Yuliia Starodubtseva. Preparations for Wimbledon began in earnest at Queen’s Club, where Rybakina had to play two matches in a day due to inclement weather at the event. She beat Tatjana Maria in a hard-fought match, but shockingly lost to Katie Boulter. Rybakina has now lost three of her last five matches as she heads to the Berlin Open.

Alexandra Eala was the last player to confirm her spot in the Round of 16 at the Berlin Open. The Filipina star was made to wait at least a day before she took to the court for her first round match against newly crowned Queen’s Club champion Donna Vekic. The Croatian was given an extra day of rest after her title win last week, but still produced a strong performance. It was still not enough to overcome a fresh Eala who won 7-5, 6-4.

In the victory, Eala hit 8 aces and 2 double faults. She landed 54% of first serves in play and won 68% of first serve points (28/41). Eala won 54% of second serve points (19/35) and saved 12 of 14 break points in the match. Eala is now 7-1 at this year’s grass-court swing.

Elena Rybakina vs Alexandra Eala Head-To-Head

Rybakina and Eala have played once at the WTA level. Rybakina beat Eala in straight sets at the 2026 Italian Open. This will be their first meeting on grass.

Elena Rybakina vs Alexandra Eala Prediction

No surprises that Rybakina is favored to win this match, but I think Rybakina enters 2026 WTA Berlin Open with some question marks about her form (3 losses in 5). Last week’s defeat to Boulter continues an unusually inconsistent stretch. That said, I believe Rybakina has too much quality to continue drifting. She should push the reset button and remind us why she’s one of the world’s best players.

Nur Said's Pick: Rybakina in straight sets