Alex Eala endured a roller-coaster battle—dominating the first set, squandering multiple match points in the second, then regaining her composure to complete a gritty straight-sets victory over a top-level opponent.
The 20-year-old Filipina outlasted sixth seed and world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini on Tuesday (Wednesday morning, Manila time), prevailing 6-1, 7-6(5) in the second round of the 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships.
“Oh, I’m, you know, all the emotions are coming because the tension was so high, especially during that second set. So I’m really happy to have gotten through,” Eala said after the match. “She’s a great opponent, obviously being top 10 and a former champion here. So to be able to compete with her at this level is a great achievement for me.”
Eala entered the match fresh from a win over recent WTA Abu Dhabi Open semifinalist Hailey Baptiste in the opening round, while Paolini—champion of this tournament in 2024—received a first-round bye.
Backed by a strong Filipino contingent that once again filled Center Court at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Eala broke free from a 1-1 deadlock by winning five straight games to capture the first set in just 24 minutes.
The world No. 47’s flat backhand and on-the-rise forehand proved to be the perfect counter to Paolini’s trademark topspin-heavy forehand.
She carried that momentum into the second set, racing to a 3-1 lead. Paolini, however, broke serve for the first time in the sixth game to level the score at 3-3. Eala responded with another break and held serve to move ahead, 5-3.
Showing the form that made her a finalist at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024—when she rose to a career-high world ranking of No. 4—Paolini saved three match points in the ninth game. She then won the next three games to seize her first lead of the match at 6-5.
Eala admitted the pressure was mounting.
“In the tiebreak, I was trying everything to keep myself in check,” she said. “In the changeovers, I was thinking, you know, this stadium is full of Filipinos. So I really had to give everything I got.”
After surrendering the lead, Eala showed resilience beyond her years. She saved two set points in the 12th game to force a tiebreak, then, from a 4-4 stalemate in the breaker, claimed the next two points to inch closer to victory.
Though Paolini erased another match point, Eala held her nerve and sealed the win on her fifth match point.
“Sleep,” Eala quipped when asked what was on her mind late into the night. “I think it’s everyone’s bedtime. People probably have work. So really thank you so much for coming and supporting. It’s so nice to see the atmosphere so lively here. It’s my first time playing this tournament. So I really appreciate the love, everyone.”
With the triumph, Eala adds Paolini to an impressive list of top-10 scalps, including former world No. 1 and six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Świątek and 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys.
Eala now sets up an intriguing third-round clash with recent Transylvania Open champion Sorana Cîrstea, who defeated 10th seed Linda Noskova in the second round.
