MusaAlex Eala successfully opened her 2026 Abu Dhabi Open campaign today, February 2, 2026, with a straight-sets victory over Turkish wildcard Zeynep Sönmez.
Match Recap: Eala Sweeps Sönmez
In her first WTA 500 appearance of the 2026 season, the 20-year-old Filipino sensation dominated the Round of 32 clash at the Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre. Eala secured a 6-4, 6-3 win in one hour and 31 minutes, fueled by a supportive “home” crowd of Filipino fans in Abu Dhabi.
Earlier today, Eala reached a new career-high world ranking of No. 45, jumping four spots after a strong January that included a quarterfinal finish at the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open. She carried that momentum into today’s match, extending her career head-to-head advantage over Sönmez to 3–0.
Key Statistics
| Statistic | Alexandra Eala | Zeynep Sönmez |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 2 | 0 |
| Breakpoints Won | 6/12 | 4/6 |
| 1st Serve % | 66% | 67% |
| Total Points Won | 71 | 56 |
Source:
What’s Next for Alex Eala?
Eala’s victory today sets up a busy schedule for the remainder of the week:
- Doubles Round of 16 (Feb 3): Eala will partner with Indonesian standout Janice Tjen to face the formidable duo of Leylah Fernandez (Canada) and Kristina Mladenovic (France). The match is scheduled for Tuesday at 3:30 PM local time.
- Singles Round of 16 (Feb 4): Eala advances to face Aliaksandra Sasnovich, who reached the next round after defeating Paula Badosa. This match is slated for Wednesday at 8:00 AM local time.
Tournament Outlook
Eala’s rise into the WTA Top 50 has made her a headliner for the 2026 Middle East swing. Her performance today reinforces her goal to “keep maturing” and climbing the rankings, even as the “mountain gets steeper” among the tour’s elite. Having already claimed the exhibition title at the 2026 Kooyong Classic and made her Australian Open main draw debut this year, Eala is proving to be a consistent threat on the global stage.
Musa
dam
