Alexandra “Alex” Ila scored her biggest win so far this year, dominating world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini in the round of 32 at the Dubai Tennis Championships early Wednesday morning.

The win marks the third time the Filipino star has defeated a WTA top 10 player, following previous victories over breakout Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys at last year’s Miami Open.

Ira will face another terrifying challenge when she faces Sorana Cirstea in the round of 16.

The 35-year-old Romanian veteran is currently ranked No. 32, having reached a career-high of No. 21 13 years ago. She owns four WTA singles titles, the most recent of which she won two weeks ago at the WTA 250 Transylvania Open in her home country.

Cirstea enjoyed a nearly perfect campaign at Cluj-Napoca. She defeated Kamila Rakimova 6-4, 6-4 in the round of 32 and defeated Tamara Zydansek 6-1, 6-0 in the next round.

She then defeated Anastasia Potapova 7-5, 6-4 in the quarterfinals, and Daria Snigl 6-0, 6-3 in the semifinals.

This set up a final showdown with top seed Emma Raducanu, and Cirstea dominated 6-0, 6-2 to take the title.

Cirstea is expected to carry that momentum into his match against Pinet’s netter.

However, this is not the first time Cirstea and Ila have faced off on a hard court.

In 2024, the two met in the round of 64 at the Madrid Open, with Cirstea coming away with a 6-3, 7-6, 6-4 victory.

Iara is looking for revenge this time and aims to advance to the quarterfinals, where she could face either world No. 4 Coco Gauff or No. 22 Elise Mertens.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News