By Joel Reyes

Alex Eala recorded a major upset on Monday (PH time), defeating Coco Gauff in their third-round match at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open after the American retired injured in the second set.

Eala was leading 6-2, 2-0 when Gauff decided to call it quits after she suffered a left arm injury during the first set. The American requested a medical timeout at 5-2 but that didn't help her cause as she lost for the first time against Eala.

It was an emotional victory for Eala, who won just two games against Gauff when they last faced each other in Dubai. Eala was far better this time around, winning seven consecutive games after trailing 1-2 in the first set before Gauff's retirement.