Filipina sensation Alex Eala sets up Dubai Quarterfinal clash with Coco Gauff
Quezon City star backed by passionate Pinoy support
DUBAI – The Filipina fairytale continues in Dubai. From Quezon City to the quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, 20-year-old Alexandra Eala defeated Sorana Cirstea 7-5, 6-4 under the lights of Centre Court on Wednesday to book a last-eight date with World No. 4 Coco Gauff.
“I take it all in with a spoonful of gratitude,” Eala said after being cheered on like the superstar she is rapidly becoming among her compatriots.
The World No. 47, the highest-ranked Filipina in WTA Tour history, showed quiet confidence from the opening game to grind down her experienced opponent and reach the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 tournament for the second time in her career. Cirstea arrived ranked 15 places higher and had reached the semi-finals in Dubai two years ago. Yet amid the energy inside a packed Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, the Romanian never looked likely to silence the vocal Kabayan crowd.
Eala was quick to acknowledge the backing without attributing victory solely to it. “Obviously their support means a lot to me,” she said. “It definitely motivated me in the tight moments and makes the emotions more intense when I win, but I wouldn't attribute all of it to them. Whether they’re there or not, I'm going to fight until the end and do what I can to win.
“I've not always been a competitor who's been put in night sessions on Centre Court. I've been playing tennis for many years and I'm also used to playing in front of no crowds. I'm still in the earlier phase of my career, so I'm doing my best to enjoy and I hope the feeling is reciprocated by the crowd. It just creates an amazing atmosphere.”
With the first set level at 5-5, Eala struck decisively, breaking serve to edge ahead before consolidating for the opener. In the second, her early dominance ignited further noise from the stands. Every winner, every unforced error from Cirstea, and every pause in play was met with chants, flag-waving and hand-made signs, including one that read: “Alex, please marry my son”.
Cirstea, who had recently criticised excessive on-court noise during her Australian Open meeting with Naomi Osaka, endured a one-hour 38-minute encounter in which the crowd’s enthusiasm rarely dipped. The umpire intervened repeatedly to call for silence during points.
When Eala sealed victory, smiling broadly before releasing a roar at centre court, her focus shifted immediately to Thursday’s challenge. “Win or lose, it's a great opportunity for me to learn. Obviously facing a player like Coco is something that people would kill to do, and in a quarterfinal here in Dubai as well, so I'm super excited.”
Gauff survives
Earlier on the same court, Gauff had battled through a dramatic contest against Elise Mertens. The American struck 16 double-faults and saved three second-set match points before prevailing 2-6, 7-6(9), 6-3.
“I'm trying to be positive,” Gauff said. “I'm critical. I feel like the last tournament I took some steps forward, and today I took some steps backwards, but still got the win. It’s a weird feeling. I feel conflicted. It wasn't the prettiest, but I'm also happy. I could have easily lost.”
Despite Mertens having beaten a top-10 player only once in her previous 12 attempts on hard courts, Gauff began erratically, losing two of her first three service games and surrendering the opening set in 33 minutes. Three double-faults and 14 forehand unforced errors underlined a performance well below the standard expected of a World No. 4.
She continued to struggle early in the second set, conceding another break before finding a foothold. A timely break back shifted the momentum, and although she faltered when serving at 5-3, the match moved into a tense tie-break.
What followed was a sequence of erratic serving and fluctuating control. Gauff saved three match points and edged the tie-break 11-9 after a fortunate net cord clipped off her backhand. She raised a hand in apology before converting the opportunity.
“I feel like it's almost easier to play when you’re down than when you have the match in your hands,” she said. “I just wanted to give myself the chance today.”
In the deciding set, she secured the crucial break at 4-3 and consolidated to advance. “I don’t even remember the last time I saved match points, probably when I was 15, so I’m really happy to get through today. It was a long one,” she added, before smiling towards the predominantly Filipino crowd. “I know you guys are probably here for Alex, so I’m sorry I made you wait.”
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
The 26th edition of the annual WTA event runs until February 21 and features 16 of the world’s top 20 ranked players and 35 of the top 40. The championships are owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The women’s competition will be followed by the emirate’s annual ATP 500 men’s tournament from February 23 to 28. Multiple ticket categories remain on sale for the 2026 Championships, with prices starting from Dh65.