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The dust has well and truly settled on the Australian Open in Melbourne, and all attention on the WTA Tour now switches to the Qatar Open — the opening WTA 1000 event of the year.

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka is among the big-name absentees, but there is still a very strong draw in Doha, with Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and defending champion Amanda Anisimova leading the field.

Here, we make our predictions for what could happen at one of the most prestigious events in the women’s game.

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First Quarter

Projected Q/F: (1) Iga Swiatek vs (6) Jasmine Paolini

Few players have had as much success in Doha as Swiatek, who won three straight titles at the tournament from 2022 to 2024.

Looking to regain her crown at the WTA 1000 event, the top seed could face rising star Janice Tjen in round two, and then face 16th seed and 2019 champion Elise Mertens in round three.

Swiatek has a seemingly kind draw on her way to the last eight, though she could face sixth seed Paolini in the quarter-final, with the Italian having beaten the world No 2 when they last met at the 2025 Wuhan Open.

However, Paolini has not been at her best in the opening stages of 2026, and she does not have an easy draw in Doha — starting with either Maria Sakkari or Zeynep Sonmez.

She could then face ninth seed Linda Noskova in round three, with the Czech looking to build on her breakout 2025 campaign.

Prediction: Swiatek def Noskova

Second Quarter

Projected Q/F: (3) Amanda Anisimova vs (7) Elina Svitolina

Twelve months ago, Anisimova lifted her first WTA 1000 title in Doha to crack the top 20 for the first time — and never looked back during a career-changing year.

Now ranked fourth in the world, the American is the third seed this year and could face former world No 1 Karolina Pliskova in the first round, though the Czech is still working her way back from injury.

Anisimova’s first significant test could come against 14th seed Karolina Muchova in round three, with Filipina rising star Alex Eala also a potential opponent in this round.

Looming in this section for Anisimova is seventh seed Svitolina, who is back inside the top 10 after her run to a first Australian Open semi-final last month.

Svitolina could face big-hitting compatriot Dayana Yastremska in round two, before a hypothetical round-three versus 12th seed Emma Navarro.

Prediction: Anisimova def Svitolina

Third Quarter

Projected Q/F: (8) Ekaterina Alexandrova vs (4) Coco Gauff

Gauff looked far from her best during her Australian Open exit to Svitolina, and the Middle East swing has not traditionally been a strong part of her season.

The fourth seed could face French wildcard Elsa Jacquemot in round two, and could then face a tough third round against 13th seed Liudmila Samsonova.

All that could lead to a quarter-final versus eighth seed Alexandrova, who rediscovered some form with a run to the Abu Dhabi Open final this week after a slow start to the season.

However, the Russian could face 2025 runner-up Jelena Ostapenko in round two, and then face 11th seed Clara Tauson in round three.

Tauson faces Katerina Siniakova to start her campaign and could face Emma Raducanu in round two, though her big serve makes her a danger in these conditions.

Prediction: Tauson def Samsonova

Fourth Quarter

Projected Q/F: (5) Mirra Andreeva vs (2) Elena Rybakina

Runner-up to Swiatek at this tournament in 2024, all eyes will be on Rybakina as she returns to action after her impressive Australian Open triumph last weekend.

The Kazakh has a hugely favourable draw early on, starting with either Wang Xinyu or Emiliana Arango in round two, before potentially facing 15th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.

All that could lead to a quarter-final against fifth seed Andreeva, who defeated Rybakina in both Dubai and Indian Wells last spring.

The Russian will start her campaign against either Sonay Kartal or Magda Linette, and could then face 10th seed Victoria Mboko in round three.

Mboko’s debut Qatar Open begins against Maria Bouzkova, and she could then face Vera Zvonareva in round two.

Prediction: Rybakina def Andreeva

Semi-final predictions

Anisimova def Swiatek

Rybakina def Tauson

Final prediction

Anisimova def Rybakina

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The draw for the ATP 500 Dallas Open has been revealed, with top seeds Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton both handed intriguing pathways at the indoor event.

After falling to Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round of the Australian Open, world No 7 and top seed Fritz will look to get back to strong soil on home turf.

The US No 1 has been handed an opening-round test against compatriot Marcos Giron in Dallas, and could then take on another American, Brandon Nakashima, in round two.

Should Fritz then progress to the quarter-final, he is projected to face eighth seed Frances Tiafoe — in what would be their first meeting since their five-set US Open semi-final in 2024.

Tiafoe faces Frenchman Terence Atmane in the opening round of the ATP 500 event in Dallas, and could then face either Sebastian Korda or wildcard Michael Zheng in round two.

Korda and Zheng are set to meet for the second time in less than a month, with collegiate star Zheng stunning his compatriot in five sets at the Australian Open.

Also on this half of the draw is fourth seed Flavio Cobolli, with the Italian being Fritz’s projected semi-final opponent.

Looking for form after a difficult start to the season, the Italian will begin his campaign against a qualifier, and could then face Australian Open breakout star Eliot Spizzirri in round two.

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Cobolli could then find himself up against rising star and sixth seed Learner Tien in the last eight, with the 20-year-old back in action after reaching his first Grand Slam quarter-final in Melbourne.

Tien has not been handed an easy draw in Dallas, with former US Open champion Marin Cilic facing him in round one, and then a potential meeting with Ethan Quinn in round two.

The bottom half of the draw is headlined by second seed and world No 2 Shelton, who will also return to action after his Australian Open quarter-final display.

Shelton has a challenging opener against Canada’s Gabriel Diallo and could then face Montpellier finalist Adrian Mannarino in round two — before a potential quarter-final against fifth seed Tommy Paul.

Paul has been in solid form to start 2026, after an injury-disrupted 2025, though he faces a difficult first-round test against Jenson Brooksby.

The winner of that could then face Miomir Kecmanovic in the second round, before a hypothetical quarter-final versus Shelton.

Searching for his first-ever ATP Tour title, third seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is projected to be Shelton’s opponent in the semi-final.

The Spaniard will start his campaign against a qualifier, but could then face either Alex Michelsen or Grigor Dimitrov in the second round.

Also in this section of the draw is seventh seed Denis Shapovalov, who enters this event as the reigning champion after defeating Casper Ruud in the 2025 final.

Shapovalov begins his campaign against a qualifier and could then face Reilly Opelka in round two, before a quarter-final versus Davidovich Fokina.

Projected quarter-final line-up

(1) Taylor Fritz vs (8) Frances Tiafoe
(4) Flavio Cobolli vs (6) Learner Tien
(7) Denis Shapovalov vs (3) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
(5) Tommy Paul vs (2) Ben Shelton

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The entry list for the 2026 Rotterdam Open has been announced with Alex de Minaur the top seed for the tournament.

The World No.6 is one of three top 10 players featuring in the tournament alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexander Bublik.

Three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka will also play as a wildcard entrant.

Top seed De Minaur has given the tough task of playing Arhur Fils in his first game while Alexander Bublik will face Hubert Hurkacz for the seventh time having lost six of them.

2026 Rotterdam Open entry list in full:

Alex de Minaur [1]
Felix Auger-Aliassime [2]
Alexander Bublik [3]
Daniil Medvedev [4]
Karen Khachanov [5]
Cameron Norrie [6]
Tallon Griekspoor [7]
Arthur Rinderknech [8]
Arthur Fils
Aleksandar Vukic
Stan Wawrinka [WC]
Botic van de Zandschulp
Ugo Humbert
Guy Den Ouden [WC]
Marton Fucsovics
Valentin Royer
Roberto Bautista Agut
Jesper de Jong
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer [WC]
Jaume Munar
Jan-Lennard Struff
Hubert Hurkacz
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Quentin Halys
Zizou Bergs
Fabian Marozsan
Alexei Popyrin

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Round of 32 draw

Alex de Minaur [1] vs Arthur Fils

Stan Wawrinka [WC] vs Aleksandar Vukic

(Qualifier) vs Botic van de Zandschulp

Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Arthur Rinderknech [8]

Daniil Medvedev [4] vs Ugo Humbert

Guy Den Ouden [WC] vs Marton Fucsovics

Valentin Royer vs (Qualifier)

Roberto Bautista Agut vs Cameron Norrie [6]

Karen Khachanov [5] vs Jesper de Jong

Nicolai Budkov Kjær [WC] vs Jaume Munar

(Qualifier) vs Jan-Lennard Struff

Alexander Bublik [3] vs Hubert Hurkacz

Tallon Griekspoor [7] vs (Qualifier)

Quentin Halys vs (Qualifier)

Zizou Bergs vs Fabian Marozsan

Felix Auger‑Aliassime [2] vs Alexei Popyrin

Previous winners

2025: Carlos Alcaraz
2024: Jannik Sinner
2023 Daniil Medvedev
2022: Felix Auger-Aliassime
2021: Andrey Rublev

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Emma Raducanu’s wait for a first singles title since her 2021 US Open win goes on after she was hammered 0-6, 2-6 in the Transylvania Open final.

The Briton had dropped just one set on her way to her first final since New York but was outclassed by Sorana Cirstea despite the Romania being the No.56 seed.

Fatigue looks to have played its part with Raducanu struggling with playing five matches in a week for the first time in five years and after the first set, she received medical attention, including having her blood pressure taken.

Having handed out a bagel to Poland’s Maja Chwalinska, Raducanu was forced to accept one of her own in the final with Cirstea racing into a set lead in 28 minutes.

Raducanu did provide some fight back in the second set, winning her first game and rallying to 2-2 but Cirstea broke her twice to take the second set 6-2 and secure the title.

Before the match, the pair had met just once before at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships. On that occasion, Raducanu won in straight sets.

How has Emma Raducanu’s rank changed after the Transylvania Open?

Despite the defeat, the tournament was a positive one for Raducanu’s rank as she rose five places thanks to 153 ranking points added to her tally.

That takes the Briton up to 25, her highest since August 2022.

Cirstea also rose five places, taking her up to No.31 in the rankings which is her personal best since June 2024.

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What prize money did Emma Raducanu earn in the Transylvanian Open?

For reaching the final, Raducanu received $22,125 which takes her 2026 prize money to $280,819. In total, Raducanu has earned $6,238,197.

For winning the singles tournament, Cirstea was given $37,390, taking her up to $11,050,739 in what is her final season.

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Toni Nadal has identified Alexander Zverev as a “dangerous rival” to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and claimed that the 28-year-old German is “clearly better than” Novak Djokovic.

Zverev fell to world No 1 and eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in an epic Australian Open semi-final lasting five hours and 27 minutes.

The three-time Grand Slam finalist fought back from two sets to love down to force a decider, but he was unable to seal a sensational comeback as he let a 5-3 lead slip in the fifth set.

Sinner, the world No 2, was defeated in five sets by Djokovic in a pulsating second semi-final at Melbourne Park.

Zverev dropped to fourth in the ATP Rankings this week, with Djokovic climbing to third.

Nadal — who coached his legendary nephew Rafael Nadal to 16 Grand Slam titles — argued Zverev is the biggest threat to the top two.

“He (Zverev) is a dangerous rival and, for me, he’s clearly better than Djokovic is today,” Nadal said during an appearance on the Onda Cero radio network.

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“But he lacks the… if he, if Zverev had won that match (the Australian Open semi-final against Alcaraz), he probably would have won the final too.

“It would change him because it gives you extra confidence and takes away the pressure he has to win a Grand Slam.”

Nadal added, though, that Zverev “has a mental problem” and is “under a lot of pressure to win a Grand Slam.”

Toni Nadal criticised Carlos Alcaraz after the Australian Open

Toni Nadal was critical of Alcaraz for not mentioning his former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero after his Australian Open victory.

“It’s all well and good to praise your coach, but you have to remember the other one too,” Nadal said.

“I don’t know how his relationship with Ferrero ended, but when he says that, I feel bad saying it.

“I’m sure Samuel Lopez has done a great job in these two months, but he can’t forget Ferrero’s work over the years.

“I wouldn’t have liked it if, as soon as Rafa left, he had said those things about Carlos Moya.”

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Jack Draper has admitted that the pressure of pushing himself to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner may have contributed to his body breaking down last year.

The 24-year-old made his long-awaited return from a bone stress injury in his left arm in Great Britain’s 4-0 Davis Cup Qualifiers win against Norway in Oslo.

Draper cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 win against world No 313 Viktor Durasovic on Thursday in his first match since an opening round win at the US Open on 25 August.

The Brit is ranked 13th in the world, having reached his career-high position of world No 4 in June last year after a superb first half of the 2025 season. Draper defeated Carlos Alcaraz en route to winning his biggest title to date in Indian Wells in March.

Speaking to the Press Association, Draper spoke candidly about the demands of trying to close the gap to Alcaraz and Sinner — who have won the last nine majors between them.

“That was my goal anyway, and potentially that’s part of the reason why my body did break down,” said Draper.

“Maybe I was trying so hard to play in the right way — to hit the ball harder, to get free points — and that just became a stress for me.

“I’ve learnt a lot about myself mentally and physically. I’ve done a lot of things that have really put me in a good place.

“For sure, those guys are leading the sport at the moment, and I’m really hungry to get to where they are, so I’m going to do everything I can to do that.”

Draper continued: “I wouldn’t want any tennis player to go through this with their playing arm.

“But at the same time, I’ve learnt many things through this period — not only personally, but from a career perspective — that are definitely going to help me move forward and be a better player.

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“I do believe I’m a better player than I was in the summer, when I was winning a lot and playing great.

“I think that you can only get to that point with the right mindset and by seeing this injury and this lay-off as an opportunity to improve, and I feel I’ve done that.”

Following his win against Durasovic, Draper shed light on the nature of his arm injury as he addressed how he was feeling after his comeback.

“Bone stress is a difficult injury to explain to people who don’t understand it,” he told Sky Sports.

“Basically, the bone has to keep on regenerating and getting stronger.

“The more I compete, the more I play at 100%, it’s going to get used to that load over time. It’s natural to feel some sensations, some discomfort over a period of time.

“That’s what it’s been like for many other players who have had the same injury, but you just have to keep on adjusting, being sensible with the injury.

“But I wouldn’t be out here competing if it wasn’t something that I feel confident that I can stay on court with.”

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The final stages of the Australian Open caused a stir around the sporting world and the viewing figures for the men’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic confirm that interest was booming in America.

The final between a player looking to become the youngest to complete a career Grand Slam and the legend aiming to win his record-breaking 25th major title was a storyline that was hard to resist and now the viewing figures from the all-important American audience highlight the impact the match had.

Even though there was not an American involved, the Alcaraz vs Djokovic showdown drew an audience of 730,000 viewers Sunday on ESPN, per Nielsen data. That respects a 57 per-cent increase from last year’s final between Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev, despite a 3:30AM ET start time.

This was the most-watched Australian Open men’s final since 2017, when Roger Federer defeated Rafael Nadal in a five-set thriller that drew 1.1 million U.S. viewers.

The women’s final between Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka also saw a slight increase in viewers, drawing 487,000 viewers, which was an eight per-cent increase from 2025, even though American star Madison Keys was involved as she beat Sabalenka.

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Alcaraz’s win has ensured his status as one of the most marketable athletes in the world has been enhanced, with brand expert Jack Kenney-Herbert from Sid Lee in London telling Tennis365 that the Spaniard is now at the peak of his commercial powers.

“Carlos Alcaraz is the perfect commercial storm: a Career Grand Slam winner at 22 with a digital footprint the ‘Big Three’ never had starting out,” he told Tennis365.

“His rumoured signature logo with Nike signals that he has already transcended the sport and is a bona fide global icon. His brand value has never been higher and – given his age and the current riches on offer – he will eclipse traditional earning ceilings to become the most marketable athlete of his generation.

“If he maintains his on-court dominance for another five years, and continues to make sound off-court investments, he isn’t just chasing titles; he is on a direct trajectory to join Roger Federer as tennis’s second billionaire.”

Alcaraz already has sponsorship agreements in place with Rolex, BMW, Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton and Evian and after his latest achievement, most of those deals will pay out a bonus and increase in value when contract renewal discussions are on the agenda.

Now there are plans to launch an Alcaraz signature brand with Nike that will see the 22-year-old join the likes of Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan with his own range of apparel and that is just the start of his potential.

He could not be on course to follow in the footsteps of the great Roger Federer, who is hailed as the first tennis billionaire.

The end Federer’s partnership with Nike gave him a chance to accept an offer to become a shareholder in what was then a relatively modest footwear brand On, with his presence as a brand leader propelling the company to rapid growth.

The Federer endorsement has seen On build into a powerhouse in their field and they were recently valued at $20billion, with Federer’s slice of the company thought to be worth as much as $1billion.

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Carlos Alcaraz fans have been quick to suggest the world No 1 has taken tennis to the next level after he became the youngest player to win all four Grand Slam titles with his victory at the Australian Open.

Alcaraz’s stunning achievement saw him add the Melbourne title to his collection with a win against Novak Djokovic in the final, sparking some to suggest he is on course to eclipse Djokovic as the greatest player of all-time.

Tennis legend John McEnroe was among those who suggested Alcaraz could win 20 or more Grand Slam titles after his latest success, but any suggestion that the young Spaniard can already be part of the debate over who is the greatest player of all-time should be banished, according to former British No 1 Greg Rusedski.

Speaking on the latest Off Court Cuts edition of his podcast, the 1997 US Open finalist didn’t hold back as he insisted Djokovic is in a league of his own when the discussion over the all-time great of tennis is raised.

“This is ridiculous in my opinion,” said Rusedski as he responded to the suggestion that Alcaraz is already part of the GOAT debate.

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“He’s won seven majors, he’s on track, but you’ve got to have a catalog of work to get to 20 plus. Djokovic is on 24, Nadal is on 22 and Federer is on 20. Those are long distance. He would have to win every single Slam this year to get up to 10.

“Then it would take him at least another two and a half years if he won every single Slam, so I think it’s a little premature [to put Alcaraz in the GOAT debate].

“You have to define it by something. Numbers, longevity, the era you played in. So let’s look at Novak Djokovic’s story. And that’s why I call him the GOAT.

“He came along when Federer and Nadal were dominating with Andy Murray. And he went through that generation and said, look, I’m going to stand up to you. I’m going to find a way. And then for a decade, he dominated the sport. The numbers don’t lie. And that’s why I say Djokovic is the GOAT.”

Patrick Mouratoglous has fanned the flames in this debate in recent days, after claiming Alcaraz and his big rival Jannik Sinner are playing at a higher level than Djokovic, Nadal and Federer managed at their peak.

“One match. One result. And suddenly, a big conclusion,” wrote Mouratoglou.

“After Novak Djokovic’s victory over Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open 2026 semifinal, many of you said: “This proves the Big 3 were better than Alcaraz and Sinner.

“I disagree; that’s a short view. First, you cannot take one match and turn it into a rule. Before that semifinal, Jannik had won five matches in a row against Novak. That didn’t suddenly disappear because of one result.

“Tennis-wise, I stand by what I’ve said for the last two to three years. Jannik is superior to Novak today in pure tennis terms. He moves faster. He hits harder. He takes the ball earlier. He serves better.

“Look at the numbers from that match: 75 per-cent first serves in, 80 per-cent points won behind the first serve, 52 per-cent behind the second. Jannik plays a more modern version of tennis than Novak.”

The suggestion that Alcaraz and Sinner are playing at a higher level than the ‘Big 3’ drew a response from Nadal, who posted laughing emojis on his Instagram as he hit back at Mourtaoglou.

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The women’s singles draw at the 2026 Qatar Open has been revealed, with world No 4 Amanda Anisimova looking to defend her title at the WTA 1000 event.

Several big names have pulled out of the event, with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka pulling out after the withdrawals of Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Naomi Osaka had already been confirmed.

However, world No 2 and three-time Qatar Open champion Iga Swiatek is still set to be the top seed, with world No 3 and new Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina seeded second at the WTA 1000 event.

Top seed Swiatek has been drawn in the same half of the draw as third seed and reigning champion Anisimova, meaning the two stars are projected to meet in the semi-final stage of the tournament.

The top eight seeds in the draw all receive an opening-round bye, with six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek set to start her Doha campaign against either Janice Tjen or Sorana Cirstea.

The Pole is then projected to face 16th seed Elise Mertens in the third round, before an expected quarter-final against sixth seed Jasmine Paolini.

World No 8 Paolini begins her campaign in round two against either Maria Sakkari or Zeynep Sonmez, and could face a significant challenge from ninth seed and rising star Linda Noskova in the third round.

Third seed Anisimova beat Jelena Ostapenko in the final to lift her first WTA 1000 title twelve months ago, and will begin her campaign against either former world No 1 Karolina Pliskova or a qualifier.

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The American could then face 14th seed Karolina Muchova in the third round, with rising star Alex Eala also in this section of the draw.

Eala will begin her campaign against a qualifier, and could then face Muchova in round two.

Should Anisimova reach the quarter-final, she is projected to face seventh seed Elina Svitolina, who will be back in action after her run to the last four of the Australian Open.

The Ukrainian will face either Cristina Bucsa or compatriot Dayana Yastremska in round two and could then face 12th seed Emma Navarro in the third round, before potentially challenging Anisimova.

Should Swiatek and Anisimova hold their seedings and meet in the semi-final, it would be a battle between the last two women to lift the title in Doha.

The bottom half of the draw projects a semi-final against second seed Rybakina and fourth seed Coco Gauff.

A hypothetical match-up between the two would be just their second-ever meeting, with Gauff beating Rybakina in their only previous contest at the 2022 Canadian Open.

In-form Rybakina is set to start her campaign against either Wang Xinyu or Emiliana Arango, and could then face 15th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.

The Kazakh is projected to face fifth seed Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-final, with the 18-year-old having beaten Rybakina in both Dubai and Indian Wells last spring.

Andreeva’s campaign will begin against either Magda Linette or a qualifier, before a potential Adelaide International final rematch versus 10th seed Victoria Mboko in the third round.

Meanwhile, fourth seed Gauff’s quest for a maiden Qatar Open title will start against either Elsa Jacquemot or McCartney Kessler in round two, before she potentially faces 13th seed Liudmila Samsonova in round three.

Standing in the American’s way of a projected semi-final versus Rybakina is eighth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, Gauff’s projected quarter-final opponent.

Alexandrova faces a potentially challenging opener against either 2025 runner-up Ostapenko or former world No 2 Paula Badosa, and could then face either 11th seed Clara Tauson or Emma Raducanu in round three.

Tauson begins her campaign versus Katerina Siniakova while Raducanu will face a qualifier, with the two potentially set to meet in round two.

Projected quarter-final line-up

(1) Iga Swiatek vs (6) Paolini(6)
(3) Amanda Anisimova vs (7) Elina Svitolina
(8) Ekaterina Alexandrova vs (4) Coco Gauff
(5) Mirra Andreeva vs (2) Elena Rybakina

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Alex Eala’s campaign at the Abu Dhabi Open was impressive, but ultimately came to an end at the quarter-final stage on Thursday.

The 20-year-old was handed a tough test against world No 11 and second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, and, despite a strong showing, was beaten 6-3, 6-3 by the Russian.

Eala’s campaign had started with an opening win against close friend Zeynep Sonmez in round one, with the Filipina producing one of her strongest performances of 2026 so far to seal victory.

That was then followed by a thrilling win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the second round, with the star battling from a double break down in the final set to seal victory.

Though her campaign is now over, there are significant positives to take — and the star has also earned considerable ranking points and prize money.

What prize money did Eala earn?

Significant prize money is on offer at the Abu Dhabi Open this year, with the women’s singles champion ultimately set to take home $185,500 at the WTA 500 event.

Merely by entering the event, Eala ensured herself of $13,005 in winnings, with that amount of prize money on offer in the opening round.

However, the Filipina’s win over Sonmez in her first match saw her reach the second round and guarantee at least $18,045 in prize money ahead of her match versus Sasnovich.

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By defeating Sasnovich and ultimately reaching the quarter-final, the 20-year-old will take home a total prize money payout of $35,000.

What ranking points did Eala win?

Eala could have banked 500 ranking points had she lifted her first WTA title in Abu Dhabi, though the points she has earned will make a significant difference to her ranking.

Just one solitary ranking point is on offer in the opening round of the event, though her win over Sonmez saw her earn at least 60 points for reaching round two.

After defeating Sasnovich to ultimately reach the quarter-final, Eala will take home a total of 108 ranking points from her Abu Dhabi exploits.

Eala was already at a career-high of world No 45 in the WTA Rankings ahead of the WTA 500 event, but is now set to scale new heights following her run.

The Filipina is provisionally up six places to a new career-high of world No 39 in the WTA Live Rankings, with Eala looking primed for a top 40 debut when the rankings officially update next Monday.

She is now set to return to action at the Qatar Open in Doha, with the opening WTA 1000 event of the season starting on Sunday.

Eala has entered the main draw following the withdrawal of Veronika Kudermetova.

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