Filipina fairytale continues for Alex Eala at the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Cheered on by thousands of noisy Pinoy fans, Dubai debutante Eala beats Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea in straight sets to progress to Thursday’s quarterfinals

Two-time Grand Slam winner Gauff progresses too, despite hitting 16 double-faults and needing to save three match points against Belgian Elize Mertens

Dubai, UAE – 19 February 2026: The Filipina fairytale continues. From Quezon City to the quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, 20-year-old Alexandra Eala defeated Sorana Cirstea 7-5, 6-4 under the lights of Centre Court on Wednesday to book a last-eight date with world No4 Coco Gauff.

“I take it all in with a spoonful of gratitude,” Eala said, after being cheered on like the superstar she is quickly becoming among her compatriots.

The world No47—the highest-ranked Filipina in WTA Tour history—showed a quiet confidence from the first game to slowly grind down her veteran opponent and reach the quarterfinals of a WTA1000 tournament for the second time in her fledgling career. Cirstea came into the tie 15 places higher in the world rankings and having reached the semifinals here two years ago. Yet such was the energy inside a thronged Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, the Romanian never looked likely to quieten the Kabayan crowd.

That is not to suggest the passionate fans got their new hero over the line. Eala has after all been preparing for moments like these since she was four years old and being coached by her grandad in Manila. “Obviously their support means a lot to me,” she said of the raucous support. “It definitely motivated me in the tight moments and makes the emotions more intense when I win, but I wouldn’t attribute all of it to them. Whether they’re there or not, I’m going to fight until the end and do what I can to win.

“I’ve not always been a competitor who’s been put in night sessions on Centre Court. I’ve been playing tennis for many years and I’m also used to playing in front of no crowds. I’m still in the earlier phase of my career, so I’m doing my best to enjoy and I hope the feeling is reciprocated by the crowd. It just creates an amazing atmosphere.”

With the first set going with serve through 10 games, Eala finally grabbed the break she needed to take a 6-5 lead before consolidating. In the second set, such was Eala’s early dominance and the noise it generated among the partisan crowd that it almost felt cruel on Cirstea. Every winner from Eala, every unforced error from the Romanian, and every break in play, was filled with ear-splitting cheers, catchy chants, and the waving of flags, posters, and hand-made signs—including one that read “Alex, please marry my son”.

Cirstea had complained only a few weeks ago at the Australian Open when she deemed Naomi Osaka to have been excessively vocal while pumping herself up between points. How she must have felt then during this one-hour 38-minute match as the crowd screamed like Beatlemania reborn and the only thing that could quieten it—her A-game—never quite got going. The umpire certainly had his work cut out too, stepping in repeatedly to remind the fans that silence is required during play.

When Eala closed out the win, smiling widely before eventually letting out a guttural roar in the middle of the court, she turned her focus to Thursday: “Win or lose, it’s a great opportunity for me to learn. Obviously facing a player like Coco is something that people would kill to do—and in a quarterfinal here in Dubai as well, so I’m super excited.”

Earlier in the evening on the same court, Gauff had hit 16 double-faults and was forced to save three second-set match-points as she fought back against Elise Mertens to confirm her place on other side of the net. The American, ranked No4 in the world, progressed, 2-6, 7-6(9), 6-3, but it was painful viewing—even for her.

“I’m trying to be positive,” she said. “I’m critical. I feel like… I don’t know. It’s weird. I feel like the last tournament I took some steps forward, and today I took some steps backwards, but still got the win. It’s a weird feeling. I feel conflicted. It wasn’t the prettiest, but I’m also happy. I could have easily lost.”

Despite Mertens having beaten a Top 10 player only once in the past 12 attempts on hard courts, Gauff had started erratically, losing two of her first three service games and looking well-beaten as she slumped to a first-set loss within 33 minutes. The stats card made for even more unpleasant reading; three double-faults and 14 unforced errors off her forehand epitomised a first-set performance far from the standard expected of a world No4.

Often at such times, the experience that comes with Grand Slam titles and lofty world rankings means players can mentally reset, returning to court to turn the match on its head. Gauff seemed to simply continue where she left off, gifting her opponent an early break. But then came a glimmer of hope as she broke back. In doing so, she regained a little control and it was then the turn of Mertens to fire off a series of unforced errors.

The 21-year-old soon found herself 5-3 up and serving to tie the set, but once more faltered, double-faulting and failing to hold to allow her opponent a route back into the set and push it towards a tiebreak. What followed was a showcase of ugly tennis and erratic, wild serving. Gauff saved three match points before getting lucky when she clipped the cord with a backhand. Apologising with a raised hand, she took the lead and closed out the tiebreak, 11-9, to force a deciding set.

“I feel like it’s almost easier to play when you’re down than when you have the match in your hands,” Gauff said. “I just wanted to give myself the chance today. I feel like my last two matches—in Doha and the Australian Open—I didn’t feel like I fought enough for the second sets. This match, when I lost the first set, I really wanted to fight for that second and give myself the opportunity to compete in the third.”

With the third set confirmed, she grabbed the opportunity, securing the vital break at 4-3, before immediately consolidating to progress. “I don’t even remember the last time I saved match points, probably when I was 15, so I’m really happy to get through today – it was a long one,” she said, before addressing the majority-Pinoy crowd with a giggle. “I know you guys are probably here for Alex, so I’m sorry I made you wait!”

The 26th edition of the annual WTA event, which runs until February 15-21, features 16 of the Top 20 ranked female players in the world and 35 of the top 40. The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It will be followed by the emirate’s annual ATP 500 men’s tournament from February 23 to 28.

There are multiple ticket categories still on sale for the 2026 Championships, with prices starting from Dh65. For full details, visit dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com or ticketmaster.ae.