Filipino tennis standout Alex Eala delivered one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships after knocking out World No. 8 Jasmine Paolini, 6-1, 7-6(5), to advance to the Round of 16 early Wednesday (Manila time).
Eala sealed the straight-set win on Center Court with the backing of a loud Filipino crowd, overcoming a tense second-set battle against the 2024 champion of the WTA 1000 event.
“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 in the on-court interview. “She’s a great opponent, obviously, being top 10 and a former champion here. So to be able to compete with her at this level is a great achievement for me.”
The match appeared to be slipping away in the second set when Eala lost a 5-3 advantage. Paolini, who has climbed as high as No. 4 in the WTA rankings, surged back and won three consecutive games to move ahead, 6-5.
Eala responded with a crucial hold to push the set into a tiebreak, then regained control after falling behind 3-2. She strung together consecutive points to take a 6-5 lead, putting herself within reach of the upset.
After closing out the victory, Eala showed visible emotion, pumping her fists toward the crowd as Filipino supporters chanted her name in celebration.
“In the tiebreak, I was trying everything to keep myself in check. I was thinking, ‘This stadium is full of Filipinos. How many of you are praying for me?’ So I really had to give everything I got,” Eala said.
Eala, who recently slid to No. 47 in the rankings, dominated the opening set by winning five straight games on the way to a 6-1 finish, leaving Paolini unable to find rhythm early.
The win adds momentum to Eala’s Middle East campaign after she reached the quarterfinals of the Abu Dhabi Open earlier this month. She is set to face Romania’s Sorana Cirstea later on Wednesday.
