Coco Gauff brushed Alexandra Eala aisde earlier today, knocking the Filipina superstar out of the Dubai Open in straight sets.
And, at one point, many worried whether the 20-year-old would even get a single game on the board, having lost the first set 6-0, and stumbling into a 4-0 deficit in the second.
Alas, Alex Eala mounted a mini fightback, but was eventually finished off by Coco Gauff, much to the dismay of the crowd.
They were not given much to shout about, given how dominant the two-time Grand Slam champion was throughout. But the American still reserved special praise for how the fans continue to relentlessly back their favourite player, even in the face of such adversity.
Coco Gauff reacts after beating Alexandra Eala
Speaking on court, Gauff began by rating her performance, having dominated throughout despite a little wobble in the second set.
She began by admitting: “It was a bit better today. I could have served a little bit better, but I made it in when it mattered. Alex is a tough competitor, and I knew that she could come back at any given moment. I have seen her do it before.”
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That fear was likely born from the huge Filipino support, which Gauff would then reference: “Thank you guys for coming out here. I know you were mostly supporting Alex, but I have to say that it’s great to be on a crowded court. I have played this tournament for many years, and to see the stadium full means a lot.
“Also, I would like to thank Alex for bringing a new demographic to the sport. I really appreciate it. It’s great, I know sometimes it’s tough when you’re playing against a home crowd, but I think it’s great for the sport. So keep being enthusiastic and rooting for your player.”
The American admitted she had used a similar tactic in Paris against French player Lois Boisson to combat Eala’s support, concluding: “I had a similar match at the French Open last year, so I brought that mindset today.
“Whenever you guys were cheering for Alex, I was pretending it was my name, and I think that helped me a lot. If you can’t beat them, join them!”
“It’s just confidence and the serve. Just being confident with that shot. Each match has gotten better. I wasn’t in good spirits before this tournament, but one match can change everything.
“I didn’t think I would be in the semis to start the week, but I’m happy that I’m here.”
Before the match, Gauff said that Eala was doing something incredible for tennis. She echoed that sentiment tenfold whilst on court.
Alexandra Eala’s fairytale run in Dubai
It’s pertinent that such a strong run of form at another WTA 1000 event came here for Eala, who will soon have plenty of points to defend when she returns to Miami next month.
After all, it was there where she reached the semifinals last year, thus putting herself on the map.
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Since then, she has only gone from strength to strength.
The youngster began her Dubai Tennis Championships with a win over Hailey Baptiste, with her opponent retiring early in the second set.
Next up was Jasmine Paolini, who could not halt Eala’s remarkable run. She claimed her third top-ten win over the Italian and set up a clash with Sorana Cîrstea in the Round of 16.
This posed a tricky test for the Filipina, but she bypassed the Romanian with ease, thus halting her seven-match win streak.
Sadly, Gauff’s incredible talent proved a step too far for this rising star whose stock refuses to go down.
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