Alex Eala feels for injured foe after advancing in Dubai Tennis Championships

MANILA, Philippines – As ecstatic as it is to reach the next round of the Dubai Tennis Championships, Alex Eala cannot help but feel for her injured foe.

Eala claimed her spot in the round of 32 of the WTA 1000 event after a 6-4, 0-1 win over American Hailey Baptiste, who retired from their match on Sunday, February 15, due to abdomen issues.

“No one likes advancing this way,” said Eala, who got back on track after an early round of 64 exit from the Qatar Open a week ago. 

“Being on tour, I’m starting to discover, really at this level, how difficult it is to maintain your health physically, so I really hope that Hailey is okay and will bounce back soon.” 

It has been an up and down year for Eala, who owns a 7-5 win-loss record this 2026. 

She reached the semifinals of the ASB Classic in New Zealand, got the boot in the first round of the Australian Open, made the quarterfinals of the Philippine Women’s Open and Abu Dhabi Open, then failed to get past the opening round of the Qatar Open.

Each win and loss, though, offered a lesson.

“I’m super happy to be in the next round. These tournaments are such great experiences for me, especially playing in front of the best crowd ever. I’m really doing my best to try to enjoy every moment I have on court,” said Eala.

Eala faces arguably her toughest test of the season as she battles world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini of Italy — her first top-10 opponent of 2026 — in the round of 32. 

Paolini has been to a Grand Slam final twice, finishing runner-up in the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024.

But Eala has a history of beating top players, including Poland’s Iga Swiatek, USA’s Madison Keys, and Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko, who are all Grand Slam champions. – Rappler.com