Alex Eala loses to Alexandrova in Abu Dhabi Open quarters

The 20-year-old Filipino star fell 3-6, 3-6, struggling to recover after a slow start

Last updated: February 05, 2026 | 19:27

Jai Rai, Assistant Editor

1 MIN READ

Alex Eala loses to Alexandrova in Abu Dhabi Open quarters

Dubai: Alex Eala’s singles campaign at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open came to an end on Thursday evening after a straight-sets quarter-final defeat to World No. 11 Ekaterina Alexandrova.

The 20-year-old Filipino star fell 3-6, 3-6, struggling to recover after a slow start that saw her trail 0-2 in the opening set.

Alexandrova maintained control to close out the first set, and although Eala showed resilience in the second — fighting back from an early deficit to level the score at 3-3 — the 31-year-old Russian elevated her game to seal the match.

“She was fighting until the end. I knew it was going to be difficult, but the atmosphere was amazing today,” Alexandrova said after the match. “I know the crowd was cheering for her, but I really enjoyed my time on court. I tried to do my best, and I’m happy I was able to finish it in two sets because it was really difficult in the end.”

Alexandrova will face either Liudmila Samsonova or Hailey Baptiste in the semi-finals.

Despite the singles loss, Eala remains in contention in the doubles event. She and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen are set to compete in the quarter-finals later in the day against Zhang Shuai and Cristina Bucsa.

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Jai RaiAssistant Editor

Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.