Alex Eala reaches spherical of 16 in Indian Wells as Coco Gauff retires

Alex Eala proves to be in higher kind than Coco Gauff in comparison with her exhibiting of their first-ever encounter simply a few weeks in the past because the Filipina advances to the fourth spherical of the Indian Wells Open

MANILA, Philippines – Alex Eala added Coco Gauff to her listing of Grand Slam victims.

Nevertheless it was not in the best way Eala had needed as she led 6-2, 2-0 when Gauff retired on account of an obvious harm of their spherical of 32 match within the Indian Wells Open in California, United States, on Sunday, March 8 (Monday, March 9, Manila time).

Gauff, a two-time main winner, availed of a medical timeout late within the first set for a left arm concern and determined to name it an evening after simply two video games into second set. 

“I actually didn’t wish to win this fashion, however that is nonetheless a very large second for me to have the ability to play on Stadium 1 of Indian Wells and towards such an incredible competitor. I’m actually grateful to be right here and I’m tremendous pleased,” mentioned Eala. 

Whereas Gauff was not in her greatest form, Eala proved to in higher kind in comparison with her exhibiting of their first-ever encounter when the American gave the Filipina a 6-0, 6-2 beating within the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships in February.

The 20-year-old Eala showcased dynamic shotmaking, catching Gauff off guard with a few drop photographs that she changed into winners.

A type of drop shot winners got here in sixth sport of the opening set, the place Eala stormed again from a 0-40 deficit to interrupt Gauff and seize a commanding 4-2 lead. 

Gauff, who has struggled together with her function she leads the WTA Tour in double faults this 2026 by a large margin, misplaced the following two video games as she shot herself within the foot with seven double faults, all coming within the first set. 

Her arm patched up, Gauff fought via into the second set earlier than her eventual retirement, marking solely the second time in her profession that she failed to complete a match, or first because the 2022 Cincinnati Open.

Gauff turned the fourth Grand Slam champion that Eala has overwhelmed after the world No. 32 Filipina surprised Poland’s Iga Swiatek, USA’s Madison Keys, and Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko on the best way to the semifinals of the 2025 Miami Open.

Up subsequent for Eala is world No. 14 Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic within the spherical of 16. 

Noskova, 21, scraped previous Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, within the earlier spherical to rearrange a first-ever duel with Eala. – Rappler.com