Tereza Valentova’s power test ends Alex Eala’s Doha campaign early

Alex Eala walked onto Centre Court in Doha backed by a packed crowd of Filipino supporters, but when the dust settled, it was Tereza Valentova’s raw power and composure that defined the day.

The 20-year-old Filipina once again found herself up against the Czech teenager who has quietly become one of the tour’s most dangerous young hitters. Valentova, just 18 and ranked No. 48, leaned on her strength and shot-making to secure a 7-6(6), 6-1 victory in the opening round of the 2026 Qatar TotalEnergies Open.

While the scoreline suggests a straightforward result, the match told a more layered story—one that unfolded over a tense, momentum-heavy first set.

Eala absorbed an early punch, dropping the opening two games, before flipping the script with four straight holds of her own. For a stretch, she dictated rallies with patience and variety, forcing Valentova into longer exchanges and drawing errors.

But Valentova’s response reflected the maturity of a player already accustomed to big stages. She steadied herself, erased the deficit, and stayed locked in through a tight set that stretched past the one-hour mark.

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SALAMAT SA LABAN, ALEX!

Alex Eala made an early exit at the 2026 Qatar TotalEnergies Open after falling to world No. 48 Tereza Valentová. The Czech player closed out the match in straight sets at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.#WTA #TennisPH pic.twitter.com/eS6xUGUwbP

— Chris Sports (@chrissportsph) February 10, 2026

In the tiebreak, the Czech teen seized control at the critical moment. After Eala edged ahead 3-2, Valentova rattled off four consecutive points to build a 6-3 cushion. Though Eala saved three set points, the sustained pressure eventually paid off, with Valentova closing the set after one hour and two minutes.

That marathon opener proved to be the turning point.

Carrying the confidence forward, Valentova raised her level in the second set, dictating play with sharp, heavy groundstrokes that left little room for Eala to counter. The set was over in just 31 minutes, ending Eala’s first appearance in a WTA 1000 event this season.

The loss mirrored their previous meeting at the Japan Women’s Open last October, where Valentova also emerged victorious in straight sets—underscoring the gap that still exists when power meets developing versatility.

Valentova, the second-youngest player inside the WTA top 50 behind Iva Jovic, will move on to face world No. 19 Karolina Muchova in the Round of 32. For Eala, the Doha setback serves less as a regression and more as a measuring stick—another reminder of the physical and tactical leap required at the sport’s highest tier.

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