Jasmine Paolini vs Alexandra Eala Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Eala to push Paolini in Dubai second round

It's no surprise Eala is garnering prime-time Centre Court coverage at basically any tournament she enters, with the 20-year-old Filipina arguably the WTA's biggest drawcard right now. Eala is commanding ridiculous crowds around the world, forcing tournament's to put her on their biggest courts. It's no different in Dubai, where a huge Filipino population resides and are coming out in force to support their compatriot. This could prove a tricky test for Paolini, who is yet to defeat a top 50 player this season.

Paolini won the Dubai title in 2024, but was blitzed 6-4 6-0 by Sofia Kenin in the R16 of her title defence last year, which would have rattled her a bit. Eala is still quite inconsistent, but she's proven to be a handful to top 10 players so far in her young career, beating Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek, along with a three-set defeat to Jessica Pegula. It's been a great start to the year for Paolini and she's coming off a heavy loss to Maria Sakkari in Doha last week. This looks like a great spot for Eala to once again be competitive against a top 10 player.

Paolini's 2026 campaign has yet to really get going as she enters Dubai with an even 3-3 record and without a win over a top 50 player.

The Italian's only win in the United Cup came over World No. 103 Leolia Jeanjean, while she was eliminated in the third round of the Australian Open by teenager Iva Jovic 6-2 7-6.

Returning to action last week in Doha, Paolini was upstaged in her opening match, suffering another straight sets defeat as she fell to Maria Sakkari 6-2 6-4.

Paolini has fond memories of Dubai after winning the 1000 level title in 2024, but she was crushed in the R16 here last year by Sofia Kenin, taking just four games.

After bursting onto the scene last year, Eala will be looking to establish herself on the main tour in 2026 and push further into the top 50.

However, she has lots of points to defend over the last month after making the Miami semi-finals in 2025, where she took her first two top 10 scalps over Swiatek and Keys.

It's been a solid start to the year for Eala - she made the Auckland semi-finals and the quarter-finals of Abu Dhabi.

The 20-year-old went down in the opening round of Doha last week to Tereza Valentova and progressed to the second round of Dubai this week after Hailey Baptiste retired after one set.

Watch and bet on Jasmine Paolini vs Alexandra Eala live tennis from Dubai.

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