Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

By Joel Reyes

Alex Eala will resume her campaign at the 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships on Thursday (PH time), with the Filipina star set to face Sorana Cirstea in the round of 16 on Center Court at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

Eala is coming off a thrilling 6-1, 7-6 (5) victory over No. 6 seed Jasmine Paolini in the round of 32. The Quezon City native needed one hour and 40 minutes to secure the straight-sets win against the Italian, who saved four match points before bowing out of the WTA 1000 event.

 

Cirstea also recorded an upset victory in the round of 32, beating No. 10 seed Linda Noskova 6-1, 6-4. Like Eala, Cirstea has yet to drop a set in the tournament.

 

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

 

This will be the second meeting between Cirstea and Eala on the WTA Tour. Cirstea won their previous encounter at the 2024 Madrid Open, recording a 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-4 victory on clay.