The “Yalla, Eala!” brigade showed up early, loud and proudly draped in Philippine flags at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Unfortunately for them, so did Coco Gauff—and she brought receipts.
“Yalla, Eala!” the signs screamed at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, and Alex Eala delivered on cue, as if the desert night had personally requested a show.
Alex Eala opened her campaign at the Dubai Tennis Championships with a performance that blended control and conviction, advancing to the Round of 32 after taking a tightly contested first set before American Hailey Baptiste retired with injury.