Alexandrova Ousts Eala, Advances to Abu Dhabi Semifinals

By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, February 5, 2026
Photo credit: Karim Jaafar/AFP/Getty

Ekaterina Alexandrova was impressed by Alexandra Eala’s inspired comeback on Wednesday.

Today, Alexandrova extinguished Eala’s comeback efforts in Abu Dhabi.

The second-seeded Alexandrova broke serve five times toppling Eala 6-3, 6-3 to charge into her first semifinal of the season at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open.

Fan favorite Eala rallied from 0-4 down and saved a match point edging lucky loser Aliaksandra Sasnovich 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) in a two hour, 51-minute round-of-16 thriller.

World No. 11 Alexandrova watched that rally and was determined to close the show when she went up a set on Eala today.

“I saw the last match,” Alexandrova said in her on-court interview. “She was fighting ’til the end. I knew it was going to be difficult but I think the atmosphere was amazing today—the crowd, I know they were cheering for her but I think the atmosphere was great.

“So I enjoyed my time on the court, and I’m happy I could finish in two sets because it was really difficult in the end.”

Alexandrova fired four aces, saved six of eight break points and more than doubled former US Open junior champion Eala’s winner total (33 to 15) in a 90-minute victory.

The veteran Alexandrova will face American Hailey Baptiste for a spot in the final. Wild card Baptiste beat fifth-seeded Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

Clara Tauson saved four of five break points defeating American McCartney Kessler 6-3, 6-4 in one hour, 33 minutes. Tauson, who was upset by Eala at the US Open last summer, will face 20-year-old Czech Sara Bejlek for a place in the final.

World No. 101 Bejlek crushed Sonay Kartal 6-0, 6-2 in just 63 minutes.