Alex Eala and Coco Gauff made a powerful first impression as a team, securing a dominant victory in their debut appearance at the 2025 Italian Open Women’s Doubles on Saturday, May 10.
Making a Statement for Philippines’ Finest and America’s Star
The newly formed tandem made quick work of their round-of-32 opponents, Russia’s Alexandra Panova and Hungary’s Fanny Stollar, posting a commanding 6-3, 6-1 triumph at the prestigious WTA 1000 event in Rome.
For Eala, the win served as a bounce-back performance following her early exit in singles competition earlier in the week against Marta Kostyuk. Paired with Gauff, currently ranked third in the world, the duo wasted no time asserting control. They opened the match by taking the first two games, though their opponents briefly pulled even at 2-all.
Refusing to lose momentum, Eala and Gauff responded with a clinical stretch, winning three straight games to go up 5-2. Despite Panova and Stollar holding serve to stay alive, the Filipino-American pair closed the opening set in the next game, 6-3.
The second set saw Eala and Gauff elevate their level even further. After conceding the opening game, the pair rattled off six straight games to close the match emphatically. Their seamless teamwork and sharp returns overwhelmed their opponents, who struggled to mount any kind of comeback.
Next Stop: Round of 16
With this decisive win, Eala and Gauff advance to the round of 16, where they will face their next opponents which are No. 335 Tyra Caterina Grant and No. 548 Lisa Pigato both representing Italy.
Their match will be played tomorrow, May 12, with the time yet to be announced.
