Alex Eala had to survive a tense second set that went to tiebreak to beat WTA world no. 8 Jasmine Paolini in the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Alex Eala harnessed the energy of the pro-Filipino crowd at center court in the Dubai Tennis Championships, powering through WTA world no. 8 Jasmine Paolini, 6-1, 7-6(5), in the Round of 32 on early Wednesday morning (PH time).
Eala, competing in her second WTA 1000 tournament of the year, squandered three match points earlier in the second set when she led Paolini, 5-3.
After struggling for most of the match, the determined Paolini put together her best stretch and mounted a ferocious comeback, even taking the 6-5 advantage late in the set.
[RELATED: Alex Eala stuns world no. 8 Jasmine Paolini to reach Dubai Round of 16]
But the Filipina was not to be denied, as Eala harnessed the crowd's energy and prayer to save two set months and win the back-and-forth tiebreak, 7-5.
After the match, the Rafa Nadal Academy scholar said that she kept the supporters in mind when the tiebreak mirrored the intensity of the second set, with both players fighting to a 4-all count.
“You know, in the tiebreak, I was trying everything to keep myself in check and in the change of hands, I was thinking you know, this stadium is full of Filipinos. Tapos sabi ko, ilan kaya sainyo yung nagdadasal para sakin?” Eala said in her on-court interview.
“I told [myself], you know, how many of them were probably praying for me to win. So I really had to give it everything I got,” she added.
Rising through the ranks
More than just another under her belt, Eala’s victory over the 2024 Dubai champion marked another victory against WTA top-10 players.
Eala had a 2-2 slate against top-ranked players heading into the competition, but she had lost her last two matches against the very best the WTA has to offer.
Being able to go toe-to-toe with Paolini, the 20-year-old said that this match was a sign of good things to come for herself.
“All the emotions are coming because the tension was so high, especially during that second set. So I’m really happy to have gotten through,” Eala said after the match.
“You know she’s a great opponent, obviously top 10 and a former champion here. So to be able to compete with her at this level is a great achievement for me.”
Despite the high, Eala does face a quick turnaround, slated to go up against Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the Round of 16.
Eala is 15 years younger than Cirstea, and she will hope to use this to her advantage as she prepares the next match.
“Sleep,” she said of how she plans to recover.
“I think it’s everyone’s bedtime, people probably have work so really, thank you so much for coming and supporting. It’s so nice to see the atmosphere so lively here. It’s my first time playing this tournament so, I really appreciate the love, everyone,” Eala added.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.