Alexandra Eala produced a stunning fightback against Dayana Yastremska to set up a blockbuster meeting with Coco Gauff.
Eala, playing her first match in Indian Wells, found herself on the brink after being broken at 4-4 in the final set.
However, Eala immediately responded, launching an impressive three-game run to close out the match 7-5, 4-6, 7-5.
Eala, who has been hailed as ‘great for tennis,’ will face Coco Gauff on Sunday as she looks to book her place in the fourth round on the first time of asking.
What is the best win of Alexandra Eala’s career so far? 🤔
Iga Swiatek in Miami, Clara Tauson at the US Open, Jasmine Paolini in Dubai, or a different match?
Eala will need to raise her game when she plays Gauff, who defeated the Filipina 6-0, 6-2 in Dubai last month.
The 20-year-old has made a habit of producing stunning comebacks, as demonstrated by her ‘career-defining’ victory over Aliaksandra Sasnovich in Abu Dhabi.
On Friday, Eala demonstrated her fighting spirit once again, validating her comments from December last year.
Alex Eala’s mindset is her biggest strength
In December, Eala chose her mindset as her biggest strength, claiming the trait sets her apart from her peers.
Eala made the comments shortly after securing gold for the Philippines at the Southeast Asian Games [SEA Games].
Speaking to Rappler, the Filipina said: “There was a moment of realisation where I thought, it’s very difficult, personally, to define what’s a champion’s mentality. I feel like that’s very subjective and situational.
“I say this a lot, but I think my biggest strength is my mindset.
“I don’t think I’m the best in the world at any of those things [forehand, backhand, drop shot]. The thing that I can control the most is how I think, how I approach certain obstacles. A big part of that is to do with my foundation growing up. The values that my family instilled in me since I was young.
“I like to think that’s what sets me apart, and that’s what has brought me to where I am today.”
Throughout her 2026 campaign, Eala has more than proven that these comments are correct.
Alexandra Eala’s 2026 results so far…
| Tournament | Category | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASB Classic (Auckland) | WTA 250 | Semifinals | Lost to Wang Xinyu 7-5, 5-7, 4-6 |
| Australian Open | Grand Slam | Round of 128 | Lost to Alycia Parks 6-0, 3-6, 2-6 |
| Philippine Women’s Open | WTA 125 | Quarterfinals | Lost to Camila Osorio 4-6, 4-6 |
| Abu Dhabi Open | WTA 500 | Quarterfinals | Lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 3-6 |
| Qatar Open | WTA 1000 | Round of 64 | Lost to Tereza Valentová 6-7, 1-6 |
| Dubai Tennis Championships | WTA 1000 | Quarterfinals | Lost to Coco Gauff 0-6, 2-6 |
| Indian Wells Open | WTA 1000 | Ongoing (March 2026) | Won vs Dayana Yastremska; next vs Coco Gauff |
On multiple occasions, the Filipina has risen to the occasion, producing stunning comebacks and playing her best tennis in the biggest moments.
Eala first demonstrated this against Aliaksandra Sasnovich in Abu Dhabi, fighting from 1-5 down in the final set to win 2-6, 6-4, 7-6.
Later in February, Eala again demonstrated her elite mentality.
During her upset victory against Jasmine Paolini, Eala was broken while serving for the match. However, the Filipina refused to let the disappointment break her mentality, eventually winning the contest 6-1, 7-6.
On Friday, the 20-year-old again utilised her elite mentality to win the contest against Yastremska, demonstrating an ice-cold attitude when faced with the prospect of defeat.
Alex Eala’s doubles campaign is over
On Saturday, Eala and Iva Jovic walked onto court for their first doubles match in Indian Wells.
The young stars struggled to impose their collective will against Hailey Baptiste and Jelena Ostapenko, losing 2-6, 2-6.
Eala and Jovic struggled in particular on second serve, winning only 20 per cent of all second-serve points.
Who has impressed you the most?
The pair were unable to replicate the form that saw them reach the ASB Classic semi-finals in January.
As for Baptiste and Ostapenko, they will play Mirra Andreeva and Victoria Mboko in the next round.
