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- Eala, Bejlek, Tjen, Yastremska, Ostapenko and others advance to last 16
- Eala takes part in Meet and Greet with Philippines Ambassador
- 2,897 students from 41 schools attended today
- Fernandez, Eala, Tjen and more are in action on Tuesday
Large crowds attended day three of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open at Zayed Sports City. Alexandra Eala drew strong support with her win, while 2,897 students from 41 schools attended under the tournament’s free-entry programme for children, which runs until Thursday. The Abu Dhabi Sports Council presents the event.
The day opened with upsets. Spanish former World No.2 Paula Badosa lost to Aliaksandra Sasnovich on Stadium Court in three sets. Qualifier Sara Bejlek beat last year’s finalist Ashlyn Krueger in straight sets. Maya Joint faced Janice Tjen in one of the day’s strongest matches, with the Indonesian winning 7-6, 3-6, 6-3.
Tjen said after the victory:
“This is my first time in Abu Dhabi and it’s been so nice. It means so much to me the support I received today from the fans. The Indonesian fans were chanting ‘let’s go’ in my language which was amazing.”
In the evening session, Jelena Ostapenko came from a set down to beat Oksana Selekhmeteva.
The Latvian said after the impressive comeback victory:
“I gave it my all on the court and am so happy with the win. The UAE is one of my favourite countries to play in and the atmosphere was amazing.”
School students met France’s Kristina Mladenovic for a group photo with the former world No.1 doubles player. Five-time WTA title winner Leylah Fernandez took part in a Q&A in the Hospitality Pavilion. Around the Tournament Village, families played mini tennis matches, watched roaming Roller Skates acts and spent time in the outdoor areas.
In the final match of the day, Filipina player Alex Eala beat Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez in straight sets in front of a full Stadium Court. The 20-year-old spoke about the win.
She said:
“Recently I’ve been playing in front of so many big crowds and I’m starting to find my groove a bit. I really appreciate all the fans coming to watch me with their families, especially on weekdays.”
After the match, she met Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE.
Nigel Gupta, Tournament Director at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, said:
“It was another wonderful day of tennis in Abu Dhabi. It’s been fantastic to see such strong crowds throughout the event, and especially to see so many schoolchildren enjoying the experience today. The draw produced a mouth-watering match-up between two highly supported players, and while there could only be one winner, congratulations to Eala. We’re really looking forward to what the rest of the week has in store.”
Tuesday’s main fixtures include seven-time WTA Tour title winner Ludmila Samsonova versus Janice Tjen on Stadium Court, an all-American match between Hailey Baptiste and Emma Navarro, and Philippines player Alex Eala playing doubles with Tjen against Leylah Fernandez and Kristina Mladenovic after 6:30pm on ADCB Court 1.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open runs through 7 February 2026. The WTA 500 tournament includes community programmes such as the Road to MADO youth pathway finals and the tournament’s first wheelchair tennis invitational, presented by the WTA Foundation.
Tickets are available now at Platinumlist.
