Alex Eala made history on Thursday morning when she reached the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Her reward is a showdown with former doubles partner and world No. 4 Coco Gauff, who is competing in her 22nd WTA 1000 event already.
The 21-year-old Gauff is a two-time Grand Slam champion coming off a fantastic 2025 as she won three titles, including the French Open.
In the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Gauff earned a bye in the Round of 64 and then defeated Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-4, 6-4, in the Round of 32. She then outlasted Elise Mertens in a grueling three-set showdown 2-6, 7-6(9), 6-3, in the Round of 16.
Coco Gauff, Another Top 10 Opponent
Coco Gauff will be the latest Top 10 player Alex Eala will be facing. And while the rankings suggest the Filipina ace is a huge underdog, it should be noted that she actually has a winning record against elite competition, having won three times as against two losses.
Two of those wins came in the Miami Open early last year when Eala defeated then world No. 5 Madison Keys and then world No. 2 Iga Swiatek. Eala went on to lose to then world No. 4 Jessica Pegula. The Filipina’s other win versus a Top 10 opponent was when she beat world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini in the Round of 32 in the ongoing Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, while her other loss came in the second round of the Madrid Open a rematch versus Swiatek.
Now, the 20-year-old pride of Quezon City is set to meet world No. 4 Coco Gauff.
Alex Eala Next Match
Alex Eala vs Coco Gauff (Quarterfinals)
Venue: Center Court of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Aviation Club Tennis Centre
Date and Time: Thursday, February 19, 11:00 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (Start time is subject to change.)
