Alexandra Eala Stages Epic Comeback to Reach Abu Dhabi WTA Quarterfinals
In a stunning display of resilience, Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra Eala pulled off a remarkable comeback victory over Aliaksandra Sasnovich on Wednesday night at the Abu Dhabi WTA tournament. The thrilling match, which lasted nearly three hours, saw Eala advance to the quarterfinals with a hard-fought score of 2–6, 6–4, 7–6 (5).
From Deficit to Triumph
Eala faced a daunting challenge early on, dropping the first set 6–2 as Sasnovich dominated with strong serves and minimal errors. The Belarusian player continued her momentum into the second set, but Eala turned the tide by breaking serve in the final game to force a decisive third set. Despite trailing 4-0 in the third set and facing multiple match points, Eala refused to surrender, clawing her way back with unwavering determination.
The nearly three-hour battle on Stadium Court captivated a raucous, pro-Filipino crowd, who witnessed Eala's tenacity up close. In her on-court interview, Eala expressed her joy, saying, "These moments are moments I only have dreamed about. Selling out stadiums is insane, and being in these matches in particular is just really the ones that kind of stick with you."
Key Moments and Statistics
Sasnovich started strong, winning the first set with ease and dropping just six points on serve. However, Eala's persistence paid off in the second set, where she generated 11 break points and capitalized on 19 unforced errors from her opponent. In the third set, Sasnovich surged to a 4-0 lead in just 17 minutes, but Eala's fightback was nothing short of heroic, culminating in a tense tiebreak victory.
Eala reflected on her performance, stating, "I really tried my best in those moments to fight. I really tried to find the fight. And in the end, I think when I was coming back, I was able to find it. So I'm really proud of that." Despite winning 10 fewer points overall (121-111) and trailing in key stats, her resilience carried her through to the win.
Quarterfinal Showdown Awaits
This victory marks Eala's fifth career quarterfinal at the WTA Tour level. She is set to face No. 2 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in their first career meeting. Alexandrova advanced with a commanding 6–1, 6–2 win over Dayana Yastremska, showcasing a powerful serve and winning over 64 percent of first-serve points.
Alexandrova, who is guaranteed a return to the Top 10 rankings after defending champion Belinda Bencic withdrew due to illness, presents a formidable challenge. Eala, continuing to make history for the Philippines on the WTA Tour, will look to extend her remarkable run in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Eala's journey in this tournament highlights her growing prowess and the support of Filipino fans worldwide, as she aims to build on this comeback victory in the upcoming quarterfinal match.
