Alex Eala sets up blockbuster clash with Coco Gauff in Dubai Open quarterfinals

Momentum continues to build for Alex Eala, who is turning her Middle East swing into a statement run after punching her way into the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Fresh off another composed performance under pressure, the 20-year-old Filipina now faces her biggest test yet—world No. 4 Coco Gauff—with a semifinal berth on the line.

The stage was set even before Eala stepped onto the court for her Round of 16 match. Moments earlier, Gauff survived a gritty comeback against Elise Mertens, rallying from a set down to secure her place in the last eight.

Eala then followed with a performance built on patience and timing, defeating Sorana Cîrstea, 7-5, 6-4, in front of a lively Filipino crowd that once again transformed Center Court into a near-home atmosphere.

“Every round is such a battle and so filled with tension. So I’m really happy with how I performed,” Eala said in the post-match interview.

“I think the key to today was staying calm and trusting my shots. I think I was very solid in particular moments where I needed to be. So that reflected in my performance and in the score.”

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NEXT STOP: COCO

Alex Eala says she’s “in a good path” as she gears up for a quarterfinal clash against Coco Gauff at the Dubai Tennis Championships, praising the American star as a great role model while expressing excitement for their upcoming showdown.#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/6r0saUqvj5

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) February 18, 2026

Beyond the result, the win carried extra meaning. Eala avenged her three-set defeat to Cîrstea at the Mutua Madrid Open in 2024, showing how much her game has matured in just a year.

After racing to a 4-0 start, Eala absorbed a brief surge from the Romanian veteran, who clawed back to within 5-4. Instead of letting momentum slip, the Filipina reset, stayed aggressive, and closed the match with authority.

Now ranked No. 47 in the world, Eala advances to just the second WTA 1000 quarterfinal appearance of her young career—another milestone in what is quickly becoming a breakout season.

Awaiting her next is a familiar face. Gauff and Eala previously shared the court as doubles partners, but this time they meet as rivals, with both carrying strong form into what promises to be a high-level showdown.

For Eala, it is another opportunity to test herself against the elite—and another chance to prove that her rise is no longer just potential, but reality.

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