Coco Gauff delivered a dominant performance on Thursday, defeating rising star Alexandra Eala 6-0, 6-2 in just 67 minutes to advance to the Dubai Championships semifinals.
Gauff's victory marked a complete turnaround from her previous match. Just one day earlier, Gauff saved three match points against Elise Mertens in a dramatic third-round escape, going on to transform that Round of 16 near-defeat into momentum against Eala.
20-year-old Philippines native Eala struggled to find her rhythm against Gauff's aggressive baseline play. The world No. 4 raced through the first set without dropping a game, while Eala managed just two games in the second set before Gauff closed out the match.
"Each match, I've gotten better," Gauff said afterwards. "I definitely wasn't in good spirits before entering this tournament, but you know, one match can change everything."
The victory marked Gauff's first win over Eala at the WTA Tour level. The crowd at Center Court had passionately supported Eala throughout the week's night sessions, with Gauff showing appreciation for the 20-year-old's fanbase in her postmatch interview.
What's next for Coco Gauff and Alexandra Eala in Dubai
Gauff now reaches the Dubai Championships semifinals for the second time in her career, joining fellow US stars Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova in the final four. This is just the third time three US athletes have reached a WTA 1000 semifinal round since the format's 2009 launch.
Eala exits Dubai after an impressive run that included a Top 10 victory over Jasmine Paolini. Despite the loss, the world No. 47 had a breakthrough week, signaling continued growth for the up-and-coming player.
Gauff will next face either Pegula or Anisimova in the 2026 Dubai Championships semifinals.
