Alex Eala outlasts Zheng Qinwen with victory at Mubadala DC Open

Alex Eala secured her place in the second round of the Mubadala DC Open after outlasting Zheng Qinwen on Wednesday, July 28.

The world no. 28 player scored 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, staging a comeback victory against the Chinese player. 

The Filipina started strong, taking a 2-0 lead before Olympic champion Zheng found her rhythm.

Zheng tied the score at 2-2, then took control after trailing 2-3 by winning three straight games to move ahead, 5-3.

Eala won one more game, but Zheng closed out the first set, 6-4.

The second set was close, with both players trading games. Eala even fell behind, 3-4.

She responded by winning the next three games, including a service break in the final game, to take the set, 6-4, and force a deciding third set.

With the momentum on her side, Eala raced to a 4-0 lead in the final set. Zheng won one game, but Eala stayed in control and wrapped up the match, 6-1.

Zheng, now World No. 123, is a former WTA no. 4 in 2025 and a gold medalist in the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Eala will face seventh seed Filipino-Canadian Leylah Fernandez in the Round of 16.