Coco Gauff demonstrated why she is one of the best players in the world by demolishing Alexandra Eala in Thursday’s Dubai Championships quarter-final.
The American had struggled in her first two matches, saving three match points on her way to victory against Elise Mertens on Wednesday.
However, Gauff rewrote the script on Thursday, racing out to a 6-0, 4-0 lead against the Filipina star.
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Although Eala eventually offered some resistance, Gauff closed out the second set 6-2 and will face Elina Svitolina in the semi-finals.
After defeating Eala, Gauff admitted that her tactical plan had resulted in something rather strange occurring.
Coco Gauff on what she found ‘weird’ against Alexandra Eala
During her post-match press conference, Gauff revealed her game plan heading into the contest.
She said: “Honestly, just trying not to let her dictate so much, which it was weird because I felt like I didn’t play as aggressive today, but it ended up working.”
“”Yeah, I think she’s a tough player. Honestly, I wasn’t too focused on the strategy today, honestly at all this week, more so trying to focus and find my form again.
“My team didn’t really — obviously, we had some strategy against her, but it was more so just trying to be comfortable with my own game.”
For Gauff, this result was a confidence-boosting victory; one that should give her a new lease of life heading into the latter stages of the event.
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This is the second time Gauff has reached the semi-finals in Dubai, and the American will hope she can go two steps further at this year’s event and win the title for the first time.
As for Alex Eala, she failed to impress against Gauff after a stellar start to the week.
Eala struggled particularly on serve, winning only 30 per cent of her first-serve points and 44 per cent of second-serve attempts.
| Statistical Area | Gauff | Eala |
| Aces | 1 | 0 |
| Double faults | 8 | 1 |
| First-serve percentage | 54% | 58% |
| Percentage of first-serve points won | 77% | 30% |
| Percentage of second-serve points won | 64% | 44% |
| Break points converted | 6/9 | 1/2 |
Coco Gauff thanked Alex Eala after the match
Later in the press conference, Gauff revealed her admiration for Eala’s fans and the importance of their presence for the sport of tennis.
Asked if she thanked Eala, Gauff said: “Yeah, yeah, I definitely did. I know there’s been conversations online about maybe the enthusiasm of some of the fans.
“My perspective today, obviously it was a different scoreline, so maybe it caused it, but I thought it was fun to play in.
“I don’t know, I think tennis needs more of this. Yeah, I think it’s great just to see a nation so proud of someone, especially a nation that’s pretty underrepresented in this sport. I think it’s pretty cool to see.
“I also liked, even at 6-0, 4-1 or 4-0 something, she [Eala] was smiling.
“I think that’s something that you can’t buy that. Yeah, I see why people want to root for her. I root for her, when I’m not playing her, of course.”
