Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala secured her spot in the Round of 32 at the WTA 1000 Dubai Tennis Championships on yesterday, February 15, after American opponent Hailey Baptiste was forced to retire due to an abdominal injury. 

Eala showcased a commanding performance at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, clinching a hard-fought first set 6-4 before Baptiste withdrew early in the second frame. 

While the 20-year-old Filipina expressed her sympathies for the injured American, the victory propels her forward to a high-stakes second-round encounter against world No. 8 and tournament sixth seed Jasmine Paolini.

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