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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala bows to Russian rival in Abu Dhabi Open

Alex Eala bows to Russian rival in Abu Dhabi Open

Published Feb 5, 2026 10:49 pm

At A Glance

  • Alex Eala failed to conjure another magical comeback as she yielded to Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, 3-6, 3-6, in their quarterfinal clash at the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open in the UAE Thursday, Feb. 5.
(Screengrab from Premier Sports 2)
(Screengrab from Premier Sports 2)
Alex Eala failed to conjure another magical comeback as she yielded to Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, 3-6, 3-6, in their quarterfinal clash at the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open in the UAE Thursday, Feb. 5.
With less than a day of rest after an almost three-hour match in the prior round, fatigue might have caught up the 20-year-old as she went trailing behind early to the No. 2 seed Alexandrova in both sets.
Eala, the WTA No. 45, managed to cut the margin, but the world No. 11 showed her might and made sure there was no come-from-behind win this time around for the Filipina netter.
Alexandrova became the first semifinalist and will face American Hailey Baptiste, who No. 5 seed Russian Liudmila Samsonova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
Prior to her singles exit, the country’s top tennis ace bested her close friend, Turkish Zeynep Sonmez (6-4, 6-3), in the opening round before scoring an epic round-of-16 win over Sasnovich (2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7).
Fueled to extend her brilliance before hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who were delighted with her presence, Eala came out firing as she posted the first breakpoint of the match.
Eala couldn’t cash in, and the Grand Slam veteran took full advantage of it, opening up a 4-1 lead en route to the first set win.
The second set followed a similar script, though Eala clawed back from 1-3 down to level at 3-3 before Sasnovich raised her game with her impeccable forehand and won the next three games.
After her run in Abu Dhabi, Eala continues her quest in the Middle East where she competes in the upcoming Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships.
Both competitions are WTA 1000 which could further boost Eala’s rankings in the first quarter of 2026.
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