Alexandra Eala fended off a second-set fightback to defeat world No. 8 and former Dubai champion Jasmine Paolini 6-1 7-6(5), becoming the first Filipino to reach the round of 16 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships since the tournament’s inauguration in 2001. The 20-year-old notched her third career Top 10 win and now holds a winning record against the elite, standing at 3-2.
World No. 47 Eala created a memorable night at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday, breaking new ground for Filipino tennis. Since the Tier format was introduced in 1990, no other player from the Philippines has reached the round of 16 at more than one Tier I or WTA 1000 event—until now.
The popular young player surged through the opening stages of the second-round match, dominating early and establishing a set and a break lead. Just as victory seemed within her grasp, the 2024 Dubai champion Paolini mounted a fierce fightback. The sixth-seeded Italian saved three match points while serving at 3-5 in the second set and rattled off three consecutive games to seize a 6-5 lead, pushing Eala to the brink.
Despite the pressure, Eala held her nerve to force a tiebreak. Even there, she faced another match-point scare at 6-4. Ultimately, it was the rising star who prevailed, delivering a blistering forehand winner on her fifth opportunity to clinch the match.
Eala’s previous two Top 10 victories came against Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek during her breakout run to the semifinals at the WTA 1000 Miami Open last year. Just like this win, they happened in straight sets.
In the third round of Dubai, Eala will face veteran Sorana Cirstea for the first time. The Romanian advanced with a 6-1 6-4 win over tenth seed Linda Noskova 6-1 6-4. (source: WTA)
