BEFORE Alex Eala could even swing her racquet, the Center Court at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships was already buzzing in red, blue, and yellow.
The seats were packed early not for the match at hand, but for the one after.
Still, world No. 4 and tournament third-seed Coco Gauff had business to handle.
READ: Alex Eala eyes QFs spot in Dubai at Sorana Cirstea's expense
Up against Elise Mertens, Gauff stumbled in the first set, 2-6, before clawing her way back in a tight second-set tiebreak.
By the third, she was in full command, sealing the comeback, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3, in a performance that demanded attention — even from a crowd waiting for someone else.
Taking the mic with a grin after her win, Gauff addressed the elephant in the room.
“I know you guys are probably here for Alex so I’m sorry to make you wait,” she said, drawing laughter from the stands already electric for Eala.
“But if I’m not mistaken I think some of you guys are cheering for me and I appreciate it a lot but I hope you guys enjoy the next match but thanks for cheering for me for now.”
The connection isn’t random.
Fans remember that Gauff and Eala once shared the same side of the net, partnering in doubles en route to the quarterfinals of the Italian Open last year.
With the American moving on to the quarterfinals, the chance remains for them to meet again —this time on opposite sides of the net-- if Eala gets past gritty WTA No. 32 Sorana Cirstea.
And so, we wait.
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