Alex Eala is set to break new ground in the WTA Rankings after she upset Jasmine Paolini in straight sets at the 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships.
Cheered on passionately by an army of her fans at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre, Eala earned a 6-1, 7-6(5) victory against world No 8 Paolini in the second round of the WTA 1000 tournament.
The Filipina star won the opening set in dominant fashion and was twice up a break in the second set, but she was unable to convert the three match points she had on Paolini’s serve at 5-3 and was broken serving for the match at 5-4.
The 20-year-old then fought off two set points on her own serve at 5-6 before she held her nerve in the tiebreak as she sealed the win on her fifth match point.
Eala’s triumph against the 30-year-old Italian was her third career win against an opponent ranked in the top 10 after she beat Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek at the 2025 Miami Open.
At the age of 20 years and 168 days, Eala is the youngest Asian player to record top 10 wins at multiple WTA 1000 events, breaking a record previously held by Naomi Osaka (20 years and 350 days).
In her on-court interview, Eala said: “All the emotions are coming because the tension was so high, especially during that second set. So I’m really happy to have gotten through.
“She’s a great opponent obviously being top 10 and a former champion here. So to be able to compete with her at this level — it’s a great achievement for me.”
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How has Eala’s Dubai run affected her ranking?
Eala entered the Dubai Championships in 47th position in the Live WTA Rankings, having dropped from her career-high spot of 40th at the start of the week.
In her opening round match, Eala was leading 6-4, 0-1 against Hailey Baptiste when her American opponent was forced to retire.
Following her second round win over Paolini, Eala is up nine places in the live rankings to a projected new career-best ranking of 38th, having boosted her points total by 110 points to 1,337.
If she wins her third round match, she will move onto 1,432 points, which could see her climb as high as 32nd.
Who will Eala face next?
Eala will take on world No 32 Sorana Cirstea in the last 16 in Dubai. Cirstea upset 10th seed Lind Noskova 6-1, 6-4 in the second round.
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