Alex Eala yields to Russian foe in W25 Macon event

Alex Eala failed to advance to the second round of the W25 Macon event in France after bowing to fellow qualifier Anna Ukolova of Russia, 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3), Wednesday.

The 16-year-old top Filipino junior player controlled the match early on but slowly lost her steam against the 22-year-old Ukolova, who was ranked lower than Eala’s No. 583 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rating.

A victory could have arranged her a meeting with Germany’s Mona Barthel, who stunned fourth seed Jessika Ponchet of France, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1.

Eala’s defeat and her French partner Alice Robbe also bowed out in the doubles at the expense of local pair Audrey Albie and Aubane Droguet, 6-4, 6-2.

This was Eala’s fourth tournament in the women’s circuit since starting her season late January in Manacor, Spain.

Her best singles feat so far was a third-round finish at the W25 Manacor and two quarterfinal finishes in the doubles.