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Alexandra Eala Stuns Comeback To Reach Abu Dhabi Quarters
Photo credit: Alex Eala
ABU DHABI — Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra Eala staged a breathtaking comeback Wednesday night, rallying from a 4–0 deficit in the third set and saving a match point to defeat Aliaksandra Sasnovich in a thrilling three-set clash at the Abu Dhabi WTA 500 tournament. The nearly three-hour match ended 2–6, 6–4, 7–6 (5), sending Eala to the quarterfinals to face second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
“It’s moments I only have dreamed about,” Eala said in her on-court interview. “Selling out stadiums is insane, and being in matches like this are the ones that really stick with you. I’ve had a lot of them in the past year, so I’m really happy with this win.”
The match began in favor of Sasnovich, who dominated on serve, dropping just six points in the opening set and winning nine straight points in a stretch. By the end of the first set, Eala faced an uphill battle to stay in the tournament.
But the momentum shifted in the second set. Eala broke in the final game to even the match and capitalized on 19 unforced errors from Sasnovich, generating 11 break-point opportunities and forcing a decider. In the third set, Eala erased a 4–0 deficit, saved a match point, and held her nerve to close out the win in a tense tiebreak.
This victory marks Eala’s fifth career WTA Tour quarterfinal at the WTA 500 level and continues her meteoric rise in professional tennis. The Filipina has been a trailblazer for the sport in the Philippines, becoming the country’s first junior Grand Slam champion in 2022 and steadily climbing the global rankings.
Eala’s next challenge will be against Ekaterina Alexandrova, the tournament’s second seed and world No. 11, in what promises to be another high-stakes showdown.
With her resilience and clutch performances, Alexandra Eala is proving she’s not just a rising star — she’s a formidable force on the world stage.
“It’s moments I only have dreamed about,” Eala said in her on-court interview. “Selling out stadiums is insane, and being in matches like this are the ones that really stick with you. I’ve had a lot of them in the past year, so I’m really happy with this win.”
The match began in favor of Sasnovich, who dominated on serve, dropping just six points in the opening set and winning nine straight points in a stretch. By the end of the first set, Eala faced an uphill battle to stay in the tournament.
But the momentum shifted in the second set. Eala broke in the final game to even the match and capitalized on 19 unforced errors from Sasnovich, generating 11 break-point opportunities and forcing a decider. In the third set, Eala erased a 4–0 deficit, saved a match point, and held her nerve to close out the win in a tense tiebreak.
This victory marks Eala’s fifth career WTA Tour quarterfinal at the WTA 500 level and continues her meteoric rise in professional tennis. The Filipina has been a trailblazer for the sport in the Philippines, becoming the country’s first junior Grand Slam champion in 2022 and steadily climbing the global rankings.
Eala’s next challenge will be against Ekaterina Alexandrova, the tournament’s second seed and world No. 11, in what promises to be another high-stakes showdown.
With her resilience and clutch performances, Alexandra Eala is proving she’s not just a rising star — she’s a formidable force on the world stage.
Feb 5, 2026
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