Musa
What do you get when you pair one of tennis’ most exciting rising stars with a Grand Slam champion? A whole lot of firepower—and maybe a few fireworks. Alex Eala and Coco Gauff are making waves in Rome as they charge toward the quarterfinals of the Italian Open Women’s Doubles, and they’re doing it with a flair that has fans watching closely.
For Eala, this is yet another step in her evolution from junior prodigy to legitimate tour threat. The 19-year-old Filipina has long been heralded as the future of Southeast Asian tennis, but now she’s out to prove she’s also the present. Partnering with Gauff, who already has a U.S. Open singles title to her name and plenty of doubles success, is a bold move—and a smart one.
Their on-court chemistry? Surprisingly smooth. Gauff brings experience, intensity, and lightning reflexes at the net. Eala adds steady groundstrokes, tactical awareness, and youthful energy. Together, they’ve shown they can hang with—and beat—seasoned doubles teams.
But the road to the quarterfinals isn’t paved in clay alone. They’ll need to dig deep, stay sharp, and maybe throw in a few tweeners to keep the crowd entertained. One thing’s for sure: if they do make it to the quarters, don’t be surprised if they go even further. The Italian Open might just be the stage where this duo announces they’re not just a fun partnership—they’re a serious threat.
Musa
Olaniyi Ayoola
