The Philippines’ Alex Eala and USA’s Coco Gauff move on to the Italian Open doubles quarterfinal round.–Photo from Tennis.com
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala and Coco Gauff sustained their fine play as they advanced to the Italian Open doubles quarterfinal.
Playing in their maiden tournament together, Eala and Gauff dominated home bets Tyra Grant and Lisa Pigato, 6-2, 6-3, in the round of 16 on Tuesday (Manila time) in Rome.
READ: No slowing down Alex Eala’s ascent despite early exits
Eala and Gauff advance in Rome! 🤜🤛
They take down the Italian duo Grant & Pigato 6-2, 6-3! #IBI25 pic.twitter.com/ycMgMEIZld
— wta (@WTA) May 13, 2025
The tandem unleashed a 3-0 start before the Italians stopped the bleeding, winning two of the next three games in the opening set to cut it down to 4-2. But the Eala and Gauff were quick to regain momentum, with the latter delivering the set-clinching point to draw first blood.
Eala and Gauff carried their momentum into the second set with a 3-1 lead, but Grant and Pigato fought their way back to tie it at 3-all.
The 19-year-old tennis rising star drilled an ace to clinch the seventh game and regain the lead before she and Gauff held off the home bets in the last two games, with Eala scoring the match-winner.
The pair will compete in the elite eight later this week.
READ: Alex Eala, Coco Gauff off to smashing start in Italian Open doubles
what’s the team name? 👇#IBI25 pic.twitter.com/GlMUe3Jl0l
— wta (@WTA) May 13, 2025
The Rafa Nadal Academy product and the American ace had a rousing debut, sweeping Fanny Stollar of Hungary and Alexandra Panova of Russia, 6-3, 6-1, in the Round of 32.
World No. 3 Gauff recently revealed to Tennis.com that her unexpected team up with Eala was formed after the Filipino slid into her DMs asking to be her partner.
“Obviously, she’s such a nice person. When there’s people finally my age on tour, I’m glad to interact. For me, it was a good opportunity to play doubles but also have a relaxed vibe with another player. I’m super happy to play with her, and obviously she’s a killer in doubles: two junior Slams and probably some future ones too,” Gauff said.
The soon-to-be world No. 64 Eala crashed out in the WTA 1000 Internazionali BNL d’Italia singles after getting dominated by Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, 6-0, 6-1, last week, while the 21-year-old Gauff is set to compete in the quarterfinal against Mirra Andreeva after sweeping Emma Raducanu, 6-1, 6-2.
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