MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala has taken down several tennis heavyweights. But this one is special.
The World No. 40 Eala booked her spot in the quarterfinal round of the Dubai Tennis Championships after exacting revenge on No. 32 Sorana Cirstea of Romania, 7-5, 6-4, on Thursday (Manila time).
Eala fell to the Romanian in three sets at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open.
The 20-year-old Eala, however, needs to overcome another tough oppenent as she faces World No. 4 Coco Gauff of the United States in the next round.
Eala expressed her excitement against Gauff, her doubles partners in the 2025 Italian Open.
“I think I’m in a good path, if I continue like this. The next match will be great. I’m looking forward to it,” Eala said.
“Coco is such an amazing person, and we tend to forget that she’s just a year older than me, but she’s a great model for so many — so I am really excited for that match,” she added.
Gauff is a 21-year-old 11-time WTA singles champion and owns 10 WTA doubles titles.
She achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 2 and was the youngest 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she won the title when she was 20 years old.
Eala and Gauff will clash for a semifinal spot later at 11 p.m.