DUBAI: Roared on by a rapturous Kabayan-majority crowd, Filipino sensation Alexandra Eala overpowered world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini 6-1, 7-6(5) at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday night.
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Eala, 20, secured her first career win against a top-10 player and set up a last-16 clash with Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea.
With John Lennon’s “Imagine” playing quietly in the nearby Irish Village pre-match, Eala’s supporters were happy to dream.
Eala is the highest-ranked Filipina in history at world No. 47. With considerable talent, mental strength, and a determination that saw her edge a tiebreak against a vastly more experienced opponent, the girl from Quezon City looks destined to see her dreams fulfilled.
