Eala enters Dubai QF, sets up dream match vs Gauff

Alex Eala won once again in the Dubai Tennis Championships as she delivered a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the Round of 16 at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre on Thursday (Manila time).

The 20-year-old Eala needed one hour and 38 minutes to beat the world No. 32 Cirstea and move on to the quarterfinal of this prestigious Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 event.

It was redemption for the world No. 47 Eala after losing to the Romanian netter in the Round of 64 of ths Madrid Open, 3-6, 7-6, 4-6.

Eala will now take on world No. 4 Coco Gauff of the United States in the quarterfinal at 11 p.m. at the same venue.

Eala could face Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the semifinal if she pulls off an upset over the defending French Open champion.