Alex Eala at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

It was not just a victory. It was a moment that brought a stadium to its feet. After defeating World No. 8 Jasmine Paolini in straight sets at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday night (February 17), Alex Eala struggled to hold back her emotions as she addressed the crowd. The 20-year-old won 6-1, 7-6(5) to reach the Round of 16, but it was what happened after match point that many will remember most. Having just survived a tense second-set tiebreak, Eala turned toward stands filled largely with Filipinos waving Philippine flags. “In the tiebreak, I was trying everything to keep myself in check,” she said. Then her voice broke. “This stadium is full of Filipinos. Ilan kaya sa inyo yung nagdadasal para sa akin? How many of you have been praying for me to win so I really have to give everything I got,” Eala said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd. Eala had earlier dominated the opening set, racing to a 6-1 win as Paolini struggled with seven unforced errors. Each mistake from the Italian was met with loud cheers from the partisan crowd. “I think today I came out on fire,” Eala said. “She’s a great opponent obviously being top 10. To be able to compete with her at this level is a great achievement for me. She is an incredible fighter, to be sure, but I was very focused and I was able to maintain that throughout the whole match. Every time the opportunity arose, I tried my best to be brave and go for my ball.” The second set was far tighter. After building a 5-3 lead, Eala saw Paolini fight back to take a 6-5 advantage. The match swung on a handful of points as the pressure mounted and the noise inside the 5,000-capacity stadium grew louder. “All the emotions are coming because the tension was so high, especially during that second set,” Eala admitted. “So I’m really happy to have gotten through.” Inside Centre Court and even outside in the Tennis Village, Filipino supporters gathered in large numbers. Many watched, carrying Philippine flags and handmade signs that read “Laban Alex!” and “Let’s go Alex!” “I looked up and there were Filipinos for days,” Eala said with a smile. “It's really such a blessing to be able to play in these sorts of atmospheres. I am really privileged and thankful that I'm able to introduce this new sporting world, women’s tennis, to a new demographic. I think they're really enjoying it and I hope it will inspire young girls and women of all ages to take up sports.” She also acknowledged her team, whom she glanced toward repeatedly during key moments. “I think they were just trying to keep me calm and to remind me that I was doing well and I was at a good level,” she said. The victory marks one of the biggest wins of Eala’s young career and continues her strong Middle East campaign following a quarterfinal finish in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. She returns to Centre Court on Wednesday (February 18) to face Sorana Cirstea, who earlier defeated Linda Noskova 6-1, 6-4. The Eala vs Cirstea match will take place after the 7pm match between Coco Gauff and Elise Mertens. PIA/MFD/Expat Media
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