Alex Eala Stages Epic Comeback to Reach Abu Dhabi Open Quarterfinals
In a stunning display of resilience, Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra Eala secured a dramatic victory over Aliaksandra Sasnovich, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5), during the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open. The match, held at the Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre in the United Arab Emirates, took place on Wednesday night, which corresponded to Thursday morning, February 5, 2026, in the Philippines.
A Thrilling Turnaround in the Third Set
Eala, currently ranked World No. 45, faced a daunting challenge in the third set, trailing 0-4. However, she mounted an incredible comeback, rallying to reach match point at 6-5. This electrifying moment sent the predominantly Filipino crowd into a frenzy, cheering her on with unwavering support.
Sasnovich managed to force a tie-break, but critical misplays allowed Eala to capitalize and complete the epic comeback. The match lasted nearly three hours, culminating in a joyous celebration among her Filipino fans who had gathered to witness the historic win.
Eala's Emotional Reaction and Fan Appreciation
In her on-court interview, an emotional Eala expressed her disbelief and happiness. "I'm so happy. I can't believe it," she said, before turning her attention to the supportive audience. Addressing her fans in Filipino, she added, "Grabe! Napasubok talaga yung tibay ng dibdib ko at sigurado ako na kayo din kaya congrats mga kababayan. Maraming salamat po (Awesome! My will was really tested and I'm sure you were too, so congratulations, my countrymen. Thank you very much)."
Reflecting on the significance of the moment, Eala shared, "These moments are moments I only have dreamed about. Selling out stadiums is insane and being in these matches in particular are just really the ones that kind of stick with you. And I've had a lot of them in the past year, so I'm really happy with this win."
Upcoming Quarterfinal Challenge and Doubles Success
With this victory, Eala advances to the quarterfinals, where she will face No. 2 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia. Alexandrova earned her spot by defeating Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine with a commanding 6-3, 6-0 scoreline.
In addition to her singles success, Eala has also progressed in the doubles competition. Partnered with Janice Tjen of Indonesia, she triumphed over Leylah Fernandez of Canada and Kristina Mladenovic of France, 7-5, 3-6, 10-6, on Tuesday, securing a place in the doubles quarterfinals.
Other Notable Matches in the Tournament
The Abu Dhabi Open has seen several other exciting results:
- Sonay Kartal of Great Britain, who previously ousted defending champion and No. 1 seed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, defeated Renata Zarazua of Mexico, 6-0, 6-3.
- Sara Bejlek of the Czech Republic stunned No. 7 seed Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, 6-4, 6-3.
- No. 3 seed Carla Tauson of Denmark trounced Simona Waltert of Switzerland, 6-3, 6-1.
- Hailey Baptiste of the USA shocked compatriot and No. 4 seed Emma Navarro, 7-6 (6), 0-6, 6-3.
These matches set the stage for an action-packed quarterfinal round, with Eala poised to continue her impressive run in both singles and doubles play.
