Indian Wells gets blockbuster third round WTA match

It almost did not happen, and we can only imagine that Indian Wellstennis gods were hoping for it as soon as the draw was announced. The third round match between Coco Gauff and Alex Eala is officially a go.

Eala, seeded for the first time in her career at the BNP Paribas Open, won a nail biting three setter late Friday night to set up the clash. Alex Eala has risen in the rankings since her miraculous Miami Open run last year where she defeated three Grand Slam champions, Madison Keys, Iga Swiatek, and Jelena Ostapenko en route to the semifinals.

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Because Eala is putting tennis on the map for the Philippines and because many Filipinos reside in California, it is almost a home tournament for her. Legions of fans follow her to tournaments around the world, but the stadium was especially loud on Friday night with fans carrying Philippines flags seen from every angle.

Coco Gauff is playing a home tournament at Indian Wells, but will she get the most crowd support?

Eala’s nearly home tournament status will test perennial American favorite Coco Gauff. Some wonder if the Filipino fans will be louder than the Americans.

Gauff got into a little unjust hot water recently for speaking out about how spirited other country’s tennis fans are and implying the Americans are not like that partly because of all the sports at their disposal to cheer for.

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In Dubai, Coco Gauff enjoyed a resounding 6-0, 6-2 win over Eala. Eala had a lot of fan support.

Eala, 20, is a spirited player and great athlete, but her skills are not yet at the 21-year-old Gauff’s level. Gauff’s problems on court tend to focus on her serve, so if that is not on point, Eala could defeat the fourth Grand Slam champion in her career.

Watch Coco Gauff face Alex Eala at the BNP Paribas Open on the Tennis Channel on Sunday, March 8 at a time yet to be determined.

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