Alex Eala Triumphs Over Jasmine Paolini at Dubai Championships

Feb 17, 2026

66 min

Feb 17, 2026 21:32

Alex Eala beats World No 8 Jasmine Paolini at Dubai Championships

## Eala's Stunning Victory

Alex Eala achieved a remarkable victory against World No. 8 Jasmine Paolini at the Dubai Duty Free Championships. The 20-year-old Filipino tennis player secured her spot in the round of 16 by defeating Paolini in straight sets.

Eala started strong, breaking Paolini's serve early in the first set to gain a 3-1 lead. She maintained her momentum, winning the next three games and finishing the set with a powerful ace.

## Second Set Tension

In the second set, Paolini attempted a comeback with serves reaching 150 kph. Despite this, Eala held her ground, breaking Paolini's serve again to lead 3-1. Paolini fought back to level the score at 3-3, but Eala's determination saw her break serve once more.

The set reached a tense 5-5 before Eala pushed through to a tie-break, ultimately winning 7-5 with a decisive forehand.

## Upcoming Challenge

Eala's next opponent is World No. 32 Sorana Cirstea, who has also shown strong form in the tournament. Cirstea defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Linda Noskova in earlier rounds, demonstrating her own prowess on the court.

## Eala's Gratitude

After the match, Eala expressed her gratitude for the support from the crowd, particularly the Filipino fans, which she said provided her with extra energy. She hopes her performance inspires more people to take up tennis.

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