WTA roundup: Alexandrova beats Eala to move into Abu Dhabi semis, Baptiste also through

Alexandrova is through to the last four in Abu Dhabi
Alexandrova is through to the last four in Abu DhabiCHRISTOPHER PIKE / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova was the headline name to advance to the Abu Dhabi semi-finals on Thursday, with the world number 11 seeing off Alexandra Eala in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.

Alexandrova, who has struggled for form at the start of 2026, provided a reminder of her quality with a convincing 91-minute victory over the Filipino rising star.

The Russian won 70% of points behind her first serve, while breaking Eala five times throughout the contest to move into the last four of the prestigious WTA 500 event.

Next up for Alexandrova is American Hailey Baptiste, who overcame a second-set wobble to defeat fifth seed Liudmila Samsonova in a closely fought affair, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

On the other side of the draw, third seed Clara Tauson proved too strong for McCartney Kessler in a 6-3, 6-4 triumph, with the Dane fending off several break points in the second set to prevail.

Read more: Tauson downs Kessler in Abu Dhabi

Tauson will face Czechia’s Sara Bejlek in the last four after the 20-year-old cruised past Great Britain’s Sonay Kartal 6-0, 6-2 in just 64 minutes.

Both semi-finals will take place on Friday, with the showpiece event to follow on Saturday afternoon.

Check out the full schedule in Abu Dhabi here.