Alex Eala Battles Hailey Baptiste in Dubai Tennis Championships Opener
Alexandra “Alex” Eala is set to compete against American player Hailey Baptiste in the Round of 64 of the Dubai Tennis Championships. This match is a pivotal moment in Eala’s ongoing campaign in the Middle East.
Event Details
The Dubai Tennis Championships will feature the main draw starting Sunday. Eala and Baptiste’s match is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time, which is 11 p.m. in the Philippines. Eala’s performance in this tournament is crucial as she prepares for her upcoming matches in the United States in March.
About Hailey Baptiste
Baptiste, currently ranked 39th in the world, entered the main draw as a lucky loser. She was initially defeated by Rebecca Sramkova in the second round of the qualifiers, with scores of 6-3, 7-5. Despite her elimination, Baptiste has a commendable track record:
- Round of 16 at the 2024 French Open
- Round of 32 at the 2025 Australian Open and Wimbledon
- Round of 64 at the 2025 US Open
Previous Encounters
Eala and Baptiste previously met in June 2025 during the Eastbourne International qualifiers. Eala won that match with a score of 6-7, 7-6, 6-1, indicating a competitive rivalry.
Alex Eala’s Recent Performance
Eala’s journey through the Middle East has been significant. Last month, she reached the semifinals of the ASB Classic in New Zealand, followed by winning the Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament. She made her main draw debut at the Australian Open but lost to Alycia Parks in the first round.
| Tournament | Result |
|---|---|
| ASB Classic | Semifinals |
| Kooyong Classic | Champion |
| Philippine Women’s Open | Quarterfinals |
| Abu Dhabi Open (Singles) | Quarterfinals |
| Abu Dhabi Open (Doubles) | Semifinals |
| Qatar Open | First Round Exit |
As Eala heads towards a critical phase of her season, her match against Baptiste will be closely watched. Fans are eager to see how she performs in the Dubai Tennis Championships, a significant part of her career development.
