Alexandra Eala moves on after injury forces Coco Gauff to withdraw at Indian Wells

Coco Gauff quickly went up a break on Sunday evening at Indian Wells, then she began to favor her left arm and her lead quickly came unraveled.

The 21-year-old, who is the top seeded American at this year’s BNP Paribas Open, was forced to withdraw in the second set, pushing 18-year-old sensation Alex Eala of the Philippines into the Round of 16.

It was just the second time in her career that Gauff has withdrawn from a match. The last time was in 2022 in Cincinnati.

Eala, who has attracted a massive crowd of followers at Indian Wells, had won the first set, 6-2, and was leading the second set, 2-0, before Gauff withdrew. It was Eala’s first career match on Stadium Court at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Eala will move on to play Linda Nosková of Croatia on Tuesday.

Gauff was leading 2-1 in the first set before the arm injury. Eala won the last five games to close out the set, then the first two of the second set before Gauff opted not to continue.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Alexandra Eala moves on as Coco Gauff to withdraws at Indian Wells