Eala opens WTA1000 Dubai tilt campaign vs BaptisteMANILA, Philippines -- Alex Eala faces a familiar opponent in qualifier Hailey Baptiste of the United States to begin her second WTA1000 campaign in the Dubai Tennis Championships at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. She, however, bowed to Australia’s Maya Joint, 4-6, 6-1, 6-7 (10-12), in the epic marathon finale. The Dubai tilt will serve as Eala’s sixth straight campaign in a hopeful 2026 season so far marked by a bevy of playoff finishes. Eala’s lone early exit so far was a first-round elimination in the WTA1000 Qatar Open after yet another defeat against Tereza Valentova of Czechia, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1. 40 in the world rankings, with a pretty chance to garner more points and hopefully enter the Top 30 in the 1000-level Dubai joust.

Source: Philippine Star February 15, 2026 07:35 UTC