EALA BLASTS TURKISH FOE

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala gave justice to her new career-best ranking, drubbing good pal Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey, 6-4, 6-3, in a rousing opener in the WTA500 Abu Dhabi Open at the Zayed Sports City International Center.

Showered with cheers and chants of “E-a-la, E-a-la” from the huge Filipino audience, the 20-year-old sensation delivered strong closeouts for the straight-sets win in 89 minutes.

It’s the third win for Eala in as many games against Sonmez, 23, after previous ones in the 2023 W60 Nantes in France and the 2025 Eastbourne Open in England.

The two are good friends since their junior days with stints in the pro doubles play as well, making it a friendly battle won by now WTA No. 45 Eala to arrange a duel against the 31-year-old Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus in the Round of 16.

Sasnovich, WTA No. 109, pulled off a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 stunner over world No. 65 and No. 8 seed Paula Badosa of Spain.

“I’m so honored to share the court with one of my closest friends, Zeynep. I admire her so much and she’s really making waves in so many ways,” said Eala. “Our friendship goes beyond tennis and I’m so grateful for that.”

Aside from a Last 8 finish in the Philippine Women’s Open, Eala reached the Final Four of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, won an exhibition title in Kooyong Classic in Melbourne and made her Australian Open main draw debut. And the momentum proved handy in the clutch for Eala against Sonmez.

Eala and Sonmez, WTA No. 79, looked on even ground early in the duel before the lefty Filipina pride stamped her class in the homestretch, breaking away from a 4-3 cushion in the first then from a 3-3 standoff in the second set.

2026-02-03T16:31:36Z