Alexandra Eala has recorded one of the biggest victories of her career, defeating Jasmine Paolini at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Eala – who defeated Hailey Baptiste in the first round – swept past a shellshocked Paolini 6-1, 6-4.
The Filipina star produced a spectacular array of shotmaking throughout the contest in front of a raucous partisan crowd, often overpowering Paolini in baseline exchanges.
Eala, who made over 70 per cent of her first serves during the match, will face Sorana Cirstea in the next round after the Romanian player defeated Linda Noskova.
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Following her shock victory over the 2024 Dubai champion, Eala expressed her delight at advancing to the next round.
Alexandra Eala reacts to her stunning victory against Jasmine Paolini
Speaking on court after her triumph, Eala said: “All the emotions are coming because the tension was so high, especially during that second set, so I’m really happy I’ve gotten through.
“She’s [Paolini] a great opponent, obviously being top 10, a former champion here. So to compete at this level is a great achievement for me.”
The second-set tiebreak was undoubtedly one of the most nerve-racking periods of the match, with both competitors treating the crowd to lights-out tennis.
In what was a back-and-forth period of the match, Eala eventually closed out the tiebreak 7-5.
Eala revealed what was going through her mind during the tiebreak. She said: “In the tiebreak I was trying everything to keep myself in check, and at the change of ends, I was thinking this stadium is full of Filipinos.
“I thought ‘how many of them are probably praying for me to win.’ So I really had to give everything I got.
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Eala was then asked to reveal the advice she had received from her team during the contest, before discussing her post-match recovery plan.
She continued: “I forgot! [laughing] Yeah, it’s kind of hard to hear them here but I think they were just trying to keep me calm and remind me that I was doing well and I was at a good level, so nothing had to change drastically.”
Speaking about her recovery, the 20-year-old added: “Sleep! I think it’s everyone’s bedtime. People probably have work. Really, thank you so much for coming and supporting. It’s so nice to see.
“The atmosphere is so lively here. It’s my first time playing this tournament, so I really appreciate the love everyone, thank you.”
It truly was a magnificent performance by Eala, whose forehand was described as ‘deadly’ by a Sky Sports commentator.
Although she squandered three match points at 5-3 in the second set, Eala maintained her composure to close out the match in the tiebreak.
The 20-year-old, who is now set to achieve a career-high ranking of world number 38, dictated the pace of play throughout the contest, regularly capitalising on any short balls from Paolini.
As mentioned already, Eala will face Sorana Cirstea in the next round. The Filipina has an 0-1 record against the Romanian, who recently defeated Emma Raducanu to win the Transylvania Open.
- Eala’s path to the final: Round of 16 – Sorana Cirstea
- Quarter-finals – Coco Gauff / Elise Mertens
- Semi-finals – Elena Rybakina / Antonia Ruzic / Belinda Bencic / Elina Svitolina
- Final – Amanda Anisimova / Iva Jovic / Jessica Pegula / Mirra Andreeva
Sorana Cirstea’s victory against Eala in Madrid
A month after Eala’s breakthrough run to the Miami Open semi-finals, Eala faced off against Sorana Cirstea at the Madrid Open.
Cirstea, 15 years Eala’s senior, defeated the Filipina 6-3, 6-7, 6-4.
Cirstea led Eala by a set and 5-3, before later holding a match point in the second-set tiebreak. Cirstea eventually lost the second set, and needed to come from a break down in the third set to secure victory.
Cirstea went on to lose in the very next round to Iga Swiatek, 1-6, 1-6
