Eala outlasts Yastremska, forges Gauff clash at Indian Wells

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala had to dig deep, but she is off to the third round of the 2026 Indian Wells Open.

This, after fending off the gritty Dayan Yastremska of Ukraine, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, Saturday afternoon (Manila time) in California.

With a rowdy crowd behind her, Eala had to climb back from a 4-5 deficit in the third set to grab the victory.

"It was incredible. This is my first time in Indian Wells," Eala said after the match.

After a grueling first two sets, neither tennister wanted to give their opponent breathing room in the third set.

They traded games right in the frame as each tennis player held their serve.

This, until Yastremska broke Eala’s serve, blanking the Filipina as she dominated the ninth game to grab a 5-4 lead.

But the 20-year-old pride of the Philippines slowly won game after game. She broke her opponent’s serve in the 10th game before she held her own serve as she blanked Yastremska to grab a 6-5 lead.

With the Ukrainian serving in the 12th game, the two had a lengthy battle. They traded deuces left and right, but Yastremska’s sloppy service game cost her several advantages.

After another double fault pushed Eala to the advantage, a return of the 25-year-old went out, giving the Filipina the victory.

The World No. 32 tennister will now take on Coco Gauff in the third round of the tournament, which is often referred to as the “fifth Grand Slam”.

Eala will also see action in the women’s doubles. She is partnered up with American Iva Jovic, and the pair will take on Jelena Ostapenko and Hailey Baptiste Sunday morning (Manila time).

• Latest
• Trending