Alex Eala exacted her vengeance — but in the least expected plot.
Making amends for her Dubai Open loss, the Pinay stunned Coco Gauff, who ended her play due to an injury, 6–2, 2–0, for a round of 16 spot in the women's singles of the 2026 Indian Wells Open at the Tennis Garden in California, March 9.
Eala found Gauff taking a medical timeout after ruling the opener at 5–2, where the latter bandaged an apparent ‘left-arm injury’ to continue the game.
The Filipina then sealed the first set and sustained her surge in the second, threading forehand winners that padded her lead with a 2–0 buffer.
From there, Gauff dropped the third game as her injury worsened that halted her campaign, securing Eala’s vengeance in unlikely fashion.
The 20-year-old Filipina then said in an interview that she did not want to triumph over the American in that manner.
"I really didn't want to win this way," said Eala, who staged a successful payback after falling to Gauff in straight-sets in the Dubai Championship quarterfinals on February 19.
Despite her foe’s unfortunate ending, the Pinay felt joy with how she played, stating that she hopes to make the best of her momentum.
"Nevertheless, I'm really happy with how I played. I'm really happy with my performance and I hope I can make the best out of the momentum," she added.
Eala’s victory marked her fourth win against a WTA Top 10 player, following her initial thrashing of World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, World No. 5 Madison Keys, and the recently-beaten World No. 8 Jasmine Paolini.
Meanwhile, Gauff said that her pain started in the second game of the first set, also expressing that it felt like a firework going off inside her left arm.
"I felt it, like the second game of the first set," she remarked. "I guess a simple way to put it, it felt like a firework was going off inside of my arm, and then my whole arm felt like it was on fire.
Eala aims for a masterful performance against Czech Republic’s Linda Noskova in the round of 16.
Written by Vince Garcia, Insight PH
Vince Garcia, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
