Alexandra Eala has made history by advancing to the quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for the first time in her career, defeating Sorana Cirstea in straight sets and halting her win streak. Eala’s victory sets the stage for an exciting quarterfinal matchup against young star Coco Gauff.
In front of an enthusiastic crowd at Center Court, the 20-year-old Eala showcased her poise and skill against the seasoned Cirstea, ultimately winning the match 7-5, 6-4 in just 1 hour and 38 minutes. This win marks a significant milestone, as Eala becomes the first Filipino player to reach the quarterfinals in the tournament’s history since it began in 2001.
Reflecting on her performance, Eala stated, “Every round is such a battle and so filled with tension. So I’m really happy with how I performed, and I’m really happy to be able to share it with all of you.” She emphasized the importance of staying calm and trusting her shots during critical moments, particularly when she broke serve at 5-all in the first set to claim it.
Her strong start continued into the second set, where she capitalized on break points early, quickly establishing a commanding 4-0 lead. Despite a late push from Cirstea, who won three consecutive games to narrow the gap, Eala held her nerve, sealing the match with a decisive forehand winner.
Eala’s victory not only marks her second quarterfinal appearance at a WTA 1000 event, following her semifinal run in Miami last season, but it also places her among an elite group of players. She is just the third Asian player to reach multiple WTA 1000 quarterfinals before the age of 21, joining the ranks of Naomi Osaka and Zheng Qinwen.
This match also marked the end of Cirstea’s impressive seven-match winning streak, which had its roots in a title run at Cluj-Napoca. Eala generated significant pressure on Cirstea throughout the match, converting four out of nine break point opportunities.
Additionally, a fun fact highlighting the match’s uniqueness: the age gap between Eala and Cirstea, spanning 15 years and 46 days, is the largest seen between two opponents from the Round of 16 onward in the tournament’s history.
As Eala prepares to face Gauff, fans are eager to see if she can continue her remarkable journey and further her impact on the sport.