Alexandra Eala’s Qatar Open campaign has come to an end at the first hurdle.
When Eala saved three consecutive set points in the first-set tiebreak, it seemed Eala was about to produce another miracle after her stunning comeback victory in Abu Dhabi.
However, she eventually lost the tiebreak 8-6 and faded thereafter, eventually losing the match 7-6, 6-1.
What does Alexandra Eala need to improve in 2026 to challenge for a Grand Slam title?
It was a disappointing loss for Eala, who faced a player two years her junior. However, the Filipina can take pride in the fight she showed once again, and she will now turn her attention to her next WTA Tour event – which is yet to be confirmed.
Ahead of the contest, Eala was compared to a current WTA star – a player who has previously made a Grand Slam final.
Alexandra Eala is compared to Leylah Fernandez
While Eala and Valentova were warming up on Monday, Tina Krizan discussed the Filipina’s game and her potential stardom while commentating for Sky Sports.
Krizan, the former world number 19, said: “A leftie, good serve, good groundstrokes, moves well. Reminds me a little bit of Leylah Fernandez [pictured below], but [she] has got slightly heavier shots from the baseline.
“Certainly a lot of potential already, even to make it higher than she already is, ranked 40 in the world.
“They [Eala and Valentova] both made a big jump in the last couple of years actually. Two years ago, Eala was around 160 in the rankings, so a big jump for her. Especially after Miami when she beat Swiatek.
“I mean, that’s a big win at the highest level when you’re able to do that and she managed to do that really well.
“She’s had a decent season this year. Semi-final in Auckland and quarter-final in Abu Dhabi last week.”
After her performance in Abu Dhabi, Eala became the first Filipina in history to break into the WTA top 40.
Who would bet against Eala continuing her rise up the rankings throughout 2026? The Filipina has the groundstrokes of a top 20 player and has consistently demonstrated the fight needed to take her game to the very top.
Alex Eala’s serve continues to be a weakness
Alex Eala’s serve is far from a strength, and on Monday, this weakness came to the fore once again.
Eala faced seven break-points on her own serve, with Valentova converting on four occasions. She also won only 56 per cent of her first-serve points and 47 per cent of all points on her second serve.
While Valentova won a lower percentage of second-serve points [44 per cent], she was dominant on her first serve: hitting four aces and winning 75 per cent of those points.
Does anybody else even come close to Alex Eala’s popularity right now?
If Eala is to become a true star of the sport, she must find a way of improving the speed and power of her serve. As things currently lie, Eala has to put in so much effort on her groundstrokes to win points, sapping her energy and offering her opponent opportunities to capitalise.
With a more powerful serve, Eala would win more ‘cheap points,’ giving herself more breathing room during her service games – ultimately improving the efficiency of her overall game.
