The thing about success is that it brings bigger challenges.
After stunning world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini of Italy and recent Transylvania Open champion Sorana Cirstea of Romania, Alex Eala now braces for one of the toughest tests of her career: a quarterfinal clash against former world No. 2 Coco Gauff of the United States at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Thursday at 11:00 p.m. (Manila time).
This marks the farthest Eala has advanced in a WTA 1000 tournament since her historic Miami Open run last year, where she reached the semifinals.
Gauff, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, will be the second-highest ranked opponent Eala has ever faced.
The Filipina rising star previously defeated world No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland in the Miami Open quarterfinals before falling to then world No. 4 Jessica Pegula in the semifinals.
Beyond her ranking, Gauff is a global sports icon, having been the highest-paid female athlete in the world for the past three years.
The two players are already familiar with each other. They teamed up in doubles at last year’s WTA 1000 Italian Open, reaching the quarterfinals, and practiced together ahead of this year’s Australian Open.
The 21-year-old Gauff, who was only 19 when she captured the 2023 US Open, claimed her second Grand Slam singles title at the 2025 French Open.
She is also a former world No. 1 in doubles, winning the 2024 French Open with partner Kateřina Siniaková.
Despite her accolades, Gauff has yet to advance past the quarterfinals this season.
She fell to Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the Australian Open and was upset in the opening round of last week’s WTA 1000 Doha Open by unseeded Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
In Dubai, she defeated Anna Kalinskaya of Russia in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, and battled world No. 22 Elise Mertens of Belgium in a tough three-set win, 2-6, 7-6 (9), 6-3.
Eala, meanwhile, has won all her matches in Dubai in straight sets.
Gauff is known for her athleticism and speed, with heavy topspin on both forehand and backhand shots that allow her to dictate rallies.
While her powerful serve is a major weapon, she has struggled with second serves this week.
Eala has excelled in returning second serves in Dubai.
Her ability to hit groundstrokes on the rise allows her to generate power and counter strong hitters, particularly those who rely on heavy topspins.
It is precisely this combination of skill, timing, and strategy that could give Eala a chance to pull off another upset against the American superstar.
