Popular queen Iera defeats former champion Paolini to reach Dubai last 16 for the first time

At the 2026 WTA1000 Dubai event’s second round, Filipino sensation Iera beat the 6th seed and previous champion Paolini 6-1, 7-6(5), reaching the last 16 here for the first time. This triumph not only gave her the 2026 season’s first win against a top-10 opponent but also established her as the youngest Asian player to beat a top-10 competitor in a WTA1000 event.

From the start, Iera showed remarkable composure and maturity. Facing the world No. 8 from Italy, she took just 24 minutes to dominate the first set 6-1. Cheered on by many Filipino fans in the stands, her sharp baseline shots and an impressive 86% first-serve winning rate left Paolini struggling to respond.

However, the real challenge came in the second set. Leading 5-3 and serving for the match with three match points, Iera faced a resilient Paolini, the 2024 French Open and Wimbledon runner-up. Paolini fought back fiercely, saving all match points and winning three consecutive games to lead 6-5, putting Iera under intense pressure.

At this crucial moment, Iera steadied herself, saving two set points in the twelfth game to push the set into a tiebreak.

During the tiebreak, after leveling at 4-4, Iera won two vital points in a row. Despite Paolini’s stubborn resistance, the Filipino player didn’t allow any further chances and finally converted her fifth match point to secure the win. In a post-match interview, Iera shared her mindset: “During the tiebreak, I tried everything to stay calm. When switching sides, I remembered the stadium packed with Filipinos. I thought about how many might be praying for my victory. I really had to give it my all.”

This victory marked Iera’s third career win over a top-10 player. Previously, she defeated Keys and then world No. 2 Swiatek consecutively at the 2025 Miami Open. With this Dubai win, at 20 years and 268 days old, she surpassed Naomi Osaka (20 years and 350 days) to become the youngest Asian to beat a top-10 player at a WTA1000 event.

Defeating Paolini not only boosted Iera’s confidence but also helped her quickly regain form after a first-round exit in Doha. Statistics show that Iera’s current record against top-10 players stands at 3 wins and 2 losses, with all three wins achieved in straight sets.

Next, Iera will face 35-year-old Romanian veteran Costea in the round of 16, who eliminated the 10th seed Noskova in the second round. When asked about her recovery strategy for the upcoming match, Iera humorously replied with “sleep,” bringing laughter to the Filipino fans present.

From a first-round exit at Melbourne Park to defeating a top-10 player under the Dubai night sky, Iera is proving with each victory that she not only belongs on this stage but could also become a leading figure in Asian tennis’s future.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Mei)