Seizing every opportunity. That’s how Alex Eala beat world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini in their high-powered clash in the Round of 32 of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday morning.
“Every time the opportunity arose, I tried my best to be brave and go for my ball,” Eala said postgame after pulling out her biggest win of 2026 thus far.
The 20-year-old Filipina ace was naturally emotional after the huge victory while also admitting to some tense moments in that thrilling second set she won, 7-6 (7-5), to finish off the match after winning the first set, 6-1.
“All the emotions are coming because the tension was so high, especially during that second set,” Eala said in the postmatch interview at Center Court. “So, I’m really happy to have gotten through.”
Alex Eala Gives Jasmine Paolini Her Flowers
Afterward, the Rafa Nadal alumnus also gave credit to the Italian star.
“She [Paolini] is a great opponent, obviously, being Top 10 and a former champion here,” Eala said of Paolini. “So, to be able to compete with her at this level is a great achievement for me.”
That great achievement certainly didn’t come easy, and Eala is just thankful that she didn’t do “anything disastrous,” even as she had to remind herself how well she was doing in the match.
“I tried to remind myself that I was doing well,” added Eala. “I have to watch it again, but I don’t think I did anything disastrous during those moments, and she earned those points.”
Alex Eala, History Maker
With the win, the pride of Quezon City didn’t just advance to the Round of 16; she also became the first Filipina to make it to the Round of 16 since the tournament’s inception in 2001. She also became the nation’s first player to reach the last 16 in multiple Tier I or WTA 1000 events since the system’s introduction in 1990.
Alex Eala is now set to battle Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the Round of 16.
