Four WTA Stars Reach Quarterfinals at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open; Alex Eala Shines in Doubles

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Four top women’s tennis players have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open at Zayed Sports City, while Filipina rising star Alexandra Eala, alongside Janice Tjen, captured a thrilling doubles victory that went down to a super tiebreak.

Tuesday’s singles action saw seven-time WTA Tour title winner Liudmila Samsonova defeat Indonesia’s Janice Tjen in straight sets. Meanwhile, McCartney Kessler ousted the reigning 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open singles champion Leylah Fernandez in a highly competitive match.

The evening session featured an all-American clash, with Hailey Baptiste overcoming Emma Navarro to secure her spot in the quarterfinals. “It feels really good to progress to the quarters. The atmosphere was great and there’s some fans here from back home in Washington D.C., which is awesome,” Baptiste said.

In doubles, Eala and Tjen thrilled spectators on Court One, defeating Fernandez and Kristina Mladenovic in a dramatic match that was decided by a super tiebreak. The popular Asian duo celebrated their victory in front of a lively and supportive crowd, showcasing their growing partnership on the tour.

Beyond the court, the tournament offered fans unique experiences and educational activities. Students had the chance to explore sports physiotherapy with Belarusian player Aliaksandra Sasnovich during her visit to Healthpoint Hospital. She demonstrated equipment used in the treatment and prevention of sports injuries and took part in a meet-and-greet, allowing students to take photos and interact with her before heading to the Stadium Court.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian doubles player Nadiia Kichenok visited the Healthpoint booth, taking part in a sports injury health quiz and signing merchandise and tennis balls for fans. The day also included a Special Olympics Clinic and entertainment activities at the tournament village, featuring live music and stilt walkers that added to the festival-like atmosphere.

Nigel Gupta, tournament director, praised the day’s events. “It was another wonderful day at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, with huge crowds and a fantastic atmosphere throughout the venue,” he said. Gupta highlighted the upcoming schedule, noting the appearance of defending champion Belinda Bencic and crowd favorite Alexandra Eala, who will aim to reach the quarterfinals in the closing match of Wednesday’s action.

Wednesday coincides with International Girl and Women in Sports Day, a fitting celebration given the tournament’s strong line-up. Olympic gold medalist Bencic is set to face British qualifier Sonay Kartal, while Eala will take on Sasnovich in what promises to be a marquee match on Stadium Court.

The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open continues to combine high-level competition with fan engagement, reinforcing the growing popularity of women’s tennis in the region.