For Alex Eala to reach the Dubai Tennis Championships semifinals, the Filipino star must overcome two-time Grand Slam champion, former world No. 2, and ex-doubles partner Coco Gauff.
Alex Eala’s road to the Dubai Tennis Championships semifinals now runs through a former doubles partner.
The Filipino tennis star will collide with world No. 4 and reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff in a blockbuster quarterfinal showdown later at 11:00 p.m. (PH time).
It marks the first singles meeting between Eala and Gauff, though the two paired up in doubles at the Italian Open last year.
[RELATED: Alex Eala, Coco Gauff fall short vs defending Italian Open doubles champions in quarterfinals]
This time, the stakes are higher. The winner advances to the last four to face either seventh seed Elina Svitolina or unseeded Antonia Ružic.
Eala earned her spot after a stunning 7-5, 6-4 victory over Sorana Cirstea of Romania, following an earlier upset of world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini.
[RELATED: Calm Eala bests Cirstea, appreciates Pinoy fans: 'Salamat sa pagpupuyat']
With her win over Cirstea, Eala barged to her second WTA 1000 quarterfinal appearance, following her semifinal run in Miami last season.
[RELATED: Alex Eala is always right where she needs to be]
Meanwhile, Gauff reached the last eight after saving three match points in a gutsy 2-6, 7-6 (9), 6-3 comeback against Belgium’s Elise Mertens.
“I know you guys are probably here for Alex, so I’m sorry to make you wait! I hope you enjoy the next match, but thank you for cheering for me for now,” Gauff said after her win.
Young Stunna Coco
Much like Eala, Gauff’s rise started early.
The American turned pro at 14 in 2018 and stunned seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams at 15 in her Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon.
She captured her first WTA title later that year in Linz and reached her maiden Grand Slam final at the 2022 French Open before losing to Iga Swiatek.
A year later, Gauff captured her first-ever Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open and added the 2025 French Open to her resume after defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
She also owns three WTA 1000 singles titles — one each in Cincinnati (2023), Beijing (2024), and Wuhan (2025) on top of claiming the season-ending WTA Finals crown last year.
The More (Eyes), the Merrier
Despite playing in Dubai, Alex Eala is feeling right at “home,” thanks to a pro-Filipino crowd rallying behind her at every match.
Even amid the intensity of competition, the crowd finds ways to brighten the atmosphere while keeping their eyes on Eala.
As for Gauff, she expects nothing less of a fight against her former doubles partner.
“I’ve never played with Alex [Eala] at any level. I’ve practiced with her a few times. I’m sure she’s gonna play some good tennis tonight with the crowd support behind her,” she said.
The former world no. 2 was also impressed not only by the energy Eala’s supporters bring but also by how it benefits the sport itself.
[RELATED: Novak Djokovic points to Alex Eala’s AO match in calling packed crowds a ‘good problem’]
“Even though it’s technically not her home… she has a crazy following, so it is her home crowd, I would consider it that,” the American spoke.
“I’ve played this tournament many years, and I’ve never seen the stands as full as they are, especially in the early rounds. So, yeah, I’m happy that she’s able to bring a new demographic to the sport,” Gauff bared.
The question now: who moves one step closer to the Dubai title— Eala or Gauff?
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.