Filipino favourites Eala and Fernandez light up Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2026 opener
WTA 1000 week begins with drama and packed stands
DUBAI – After weeks of anticipation across the city, women’s week at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships sprang into life with a dramatic opening day at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Two players embraced by Dubai’s vibrant Filipino community progressed to the second round of the WTA 1000 event, though by markedly different routes. Centre Court, awash with red, white and blue flags, delivered a charged atmosphere befitting the tournament’s status.
The 26th edition of the annual WTA event, running from February 15 to 21, features 16 of the world’s top 20 ranked players and 33 of the top 40. Owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Championships once again attracted a strong opening-day turnout, with tickets for the 2026 edition already on sale from Dh65.
Eala’s breakthrough
With a near-capacity evening crowd in attendance, 20-year-old Alexandra Eala, the highest-ranked Filipino in WTA history at World No. 40, faced powerful American Hailey Baptiste, ranked one place higher at No. 39. Baptiste had entered the main draw as a lucky loser after defeat in the final round of qualifying, but her imposing presence promised a stern test for the diminutive left-hander making her Dubai debut.
Eala responded with composure and flair. Drawing energy from the stands, she countered Baptiste’s power with sharp angles and clean winners, trading early service breaks before seizing control late in the opening set. A decisive break allowed her to serve out the set 6-4, prompting an eruption from the partisan crowd.
The second set was brief. After Baptiste held serve in the opening game, she was forced to retire with a left abdominal injury, sending Eala through to the second round. The abrupt ending momentarily silenced Centre Court before applause rang out in appreciation of both players.
“No-one likes advancing in this way,” Eala said. “Being on Tour, I am starting to discover how difficult it is to maintain your health physically. I’m really hoping that Hailey will bounce back soon.”
Turning to the stands, she added: “I’m super happy to be in the next round. This tournament is serving up such great experiences for me, especially playing in front of the best crowd ever. Hello everyone, hello Kabayans.”
Eala will next face World No. 8 and sixth seed in Dubai, marking a significant step up as she continues her rise on the Tour.
Fernandez fightback
Earlier in the day, Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, ranked World No. 27, engaged in a compelling three-set battle with Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, the World No. 17 and 13th seed. The contest lasted close to three hours and showcased the resilience that has endeared Fernandez to supporters, particularly those celebrating her Filipino heritage.
Samsonova edged a tight opening set 7-5, capitalising on marginal gains at key moments. Fernandez responded in kind in the second, racing into a 5-2 lead with a series of precise winners. A Samsonova resurgence brought the score back to 5-5, but the Canadian steadied herself, holding serve before breaking decisively to claim the set 7-5.
The third set swung sharply. Fernandez surged 2-0 ahead before facing break points that threatened to tilt the momentum once more. She absorbed the pressure, extending rallies and forcing errors from her opponent. A dominant run carried her to a 5-0 advantage, though Samsonova again resisted, winning three consecutive games to narrow the gap.
Serving for the match for a second time, Fernandez regained control to close out victory and eliminate the 13th seed. She remained courtside long after match point, signing autographs on caps, shirts and programmes as supporters crowded the barriers.
“It definitely felt different tonight,” said the World No. 27. “I remember the past couple of years I’ve played day matches, sometimes first on, so there wasn’t a lot of fans. Today, there were a lot more and to see so many fans come watch women’s tennis means a lot.”
Asked whether Dubai offers a sense of familiarity, she replied: “It does feel nice because you kind of feel at home. It helps a lot. Sometimes when you’re travelling so much you forget why you play tennis and fans always help you to remember.”
Quick turnaround
The final match of the night under the lights brought a more straightforward conclusion. Czech player Sara Bejlek, ranked World No. 38, required just 75 minutes to defeat Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez 6-2, 6-2, underlining the depth of talent on show across the draw.
Attention now turns to Monday’s programme, which features a host of top seeds and former champions entering the competition. Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu, a popular figure in Dubai, is scheduled to face Italian qualifier Elisabetta Cocciaretto in a first-round match on Court Two at 3pm. With tickets still available, organisers anticipate another strong turnout as the tournament gathers pace.
Following the conclusion of the WTA 1000 event, the spotlight will shift to the emirate’s annual ATP 500 men’s tournament from February 23 to 28, ensuring two consecutive weeks of elite tennis at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.