Alex Eala delivered one of the biggest wins of her young career Tuesday night, Feb. 17,  in Dubai, stunning World No. 8 and former champion Jasmine Paolini, 6-1, 7-6 (5), in one hour and 40 minutes. The victory marked her third career Top 10 win at WTA Tour level.

The 20-year-old converted her fifth match point in a tense second-set tiebreak, holding her nerve as the pressure peaked. With the win, Alex Eala advanced to the Round of 16 at a WTA 1000 event for the first time since her breakthrough semifinal run in Miami last year.

As has become routine wherever she competes, Alex Eala drew a large and vocal Filipino crowd to Center Court. She responded with a fearless performance that blended discipline, aggression, and emotional control.

“All the emotions are coming because the tension was so high, especially during that second set,” Eala said in her on-court interview. She added that competing against a Top 10 player and former champion made the victory even more meaningful.

Mental strength carries Alex Eala through tense finish

The second set demanded composure as Jasmine Paolini pushed the match into a tiebreak. Alex Eala fought to stay composed, relying on discipline and focus during the crucial exchanges.

“At the change of ends, I was thinking this stadium is full of Filipinos,” she said. She admitted she drew strength from imagining how many supporters were praying for her to win, which pushed her to give everything she had.

Serving breakthrough sets the tone early

Not widely known for her serve, Alex Eala produced one of her sharpest serving displays in the opening set. She landed 67 percent of her first serves and won 86 percent of those points to control the tempo.

She also captured 57 percent of her second-serve points and did not face a single break point in the set. That dominance allowed her to dictate play early and build the foundation for another milestone victory.