coco gauff Escapes Three Match Points, Sets Up Dubai Quarter with Alexandra Eala
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 (ET), coco gauff pulled off a dramatic recovery in Dubai, saving three match points to topple Elise Mertens 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 and advance to the quarterfinals. The win not only delivered Gauff her first victory from match point down in five years, it set the stage for a high-profile last-eight clash against rising star Alexandra Eala — and a passionate crowd that could tilt the atmosphere.
Saved from defeat: Gauff's late surge
Gauff looked in trouble after dropping the first set 2-6 and then surrendering multiple opportunities in the second. Facing three match points, she dug deep and fought back to claim the second set in a tense tiebreak before closing out the decider 6-3. The comeback marked a notable milestone for the American, who admitted on court that it had been some time since she had pulled out a win from match point down.
Her on-court remarks after the match blended relief with a nod to the theatre of the night’s scheduling. "I know you guys are probably here for Alex, so I'm sorry to make you wait!" she said, also noting that some in the crowd had been cheering for her: "If I’m not mistaken I think some of you guys are cheering for me so I appreciate it a lot. " Those comments underscored both the pressure of late-match moments and the way fan allegiances can shape the feel of a stadium.
Eala’s army: why Dubai can feel like a home match
Gauff's reward for surviving Mertens is a quarterfinal against 20-year-old Alexandra Eala, who has been collecting fans en route to the last eight. Eala advanced with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Sorana Cirstea and has drawn notable support in the region after an earlier upset of Jasmine Paolini in which the crowd’s energy was credited with helping her over the line.
Dubai’s demographics have contributed to those scenes: more than 450, 000 Filipino expatriates live in the city, making up a significant portion of the population, and beyond the city limits more than 700, 000 Filipinos reside in the United Arab Emirates as a whole. Eala has quickly become a crowd favorite in the Gulf circuit, and her vocal supporters are expected to be a key storyline when she meets Gauff.
Gauff kept her tone upbeat about the partisan atmosphere, calling the presence of ride-or-die supporters "great for the sport. " She reflected on recent matches where opposing crowds created charged environments and suggested she relishes big, raucous settings whether the fans are for or against her.
What to watch next
The quarterfinal has narrative tension: Gauff arriving from a nervy escape and Eala buoyed by vocal backing and recent big wins. For Gauff, the priority will be translating her late-match resilience into a cleaner start, avoiding the early lapses that allowed Mertens to seize the first set. For Eala, sustaining momentum and feeding off the crowd’s energy will be critical against a player who can elevate her game under pressure.
Whichever way the match swings, Dubai’s quarterfinal will be a test of nerve and crowd management as much as shot-making. With fans already picking sides in a packed arena, the encounter promises to be one of the day’s most electric moments on the WTA Tour schedule.
