Channeling pro-Alexandra Eala crowd, Coco Gauff storms into Dubai semifinals

Coco Gauff employed a classic strategy to deal with an enthusiastic crowd at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Thursday, most of whom there to support Gauff’s opponent Alexandra Eala.

“I had a similar match at French Open last year so I brought that mindset today,” Gauff explained on court after defeating Eala, 6-0, 6-2. “Whenever you guys were cheering for Alex, I was pretending it was my name. I think that it helped me a lot!

“If you can’t beat ‘em, you’ve got to join them,” the American added with a laugh.

This bit of reverse psychology has become popular for taking on tough crowds over the years, most notably from 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, who often found himself up against fan favorites like Roger Federer.

“I have to say, it’s great to be on a crowded court,” said Gauff, who hailed Eala’s exploding fanbase as “great for tennis” ahead of their Dubai quarterfinal. “I’ve played this tournament for many years and to see the stadium full means a lot.”

Eala has been one of the Hologic WTA Tour’s biggest breakout stars since her run to the Miami Open semifinals last spring. The Rafael Nadal Academy alum brings full crowds to nearly all of her matches, creating a standing-room only environment in her first round at the Australian Open back in January.

“I’d like to thank Alex for bringing a new demographic to the sport. I really appreciate it,” Gauff continued. “I think it’s great. I know sometimes it’s tough when you’re playing against a ‘home’ crowd, but I think that it’s great for the sport, so keep being enthusiastic and keep rooting for your player.”

The 20-year-old was looking to make her second WTA 1000 semifinal against Gauff, a former doubles partner at the 2025 Internazionali BNL d’Italia, having ousted former Dubai champion Jasmine Paolini in the second round on Tuesday and backing that win up against Sorana Cirstea in the Round of 16.

Whenever you guys were cheering for Alex, I was pretending it was my name. I think that it helped me a lot! If you can’t beat ‘em, you’ve got to join them. Coco Gauff

But the Filipina sensation was up against an on-fire Gauff, who stormed through the first 10 games of their first singles encounter. Eala finally got on the board but was unable to create opportunities on Gauff’s sometimes-shaky serve. Winning 77% of points on her first serve, Gauff was able to apply consistent pressure on return, converting six of nine break points across the 67-minute clash.

Into her second Dubai semifinal, Gauff shook off an early stumble to her Middle East swing when she lost early at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open last week and recovered from the brink of defeat against Elise Mertens in the previous round.

Awaiting Gauff in the semifinals is arematch of her Australian Open quarterfinal against Elina Svitolina. A former champion in Dubai, Svitolina dropped just three games to Gauff in Melbourne and will rallied from a set down to defeat lucky loser Antonia Ruzic in the final last-eight match of the evening.