By NIKOLE JAVIER
Alex Eala suffered an early exit at W60 Hamburg after bowing to top seed Ysaline Bonaventure of Belgium in the second round on Thursday, Oct. 20 (Friday in Manila time) at the Hamburger Tennis-Verband, Germany.
The 17-year-old, whose WTA ranking rose to a career-high No. 248, was given the boot by Bonaventure, 6-4, 6-0.
Bonaventure made quick work of the Filipina ace in just an hour and a half of play that saw her even the game at 4-4 in the first set.
The Belgian then broke serve for the fourth time at 5-4, but Eala fought back with two break points by forcing the 10th game to a deuce. Eala, however, lost steam as Bonaventure claimed the opening set with a swift forehand winner.
It was all Bonaventure in the second set who capitalized on her wealth of experience as she advances to the quarterfinals.
Earlier, Eala survived a first-set setback against Ekaterina Kazioniva of Russia last Oct. 18 for a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 first round win.
Meanwhile, the reigning US Open girls’ champion will try her luck at the W80 Poitiers in France from Oct. 24 to 30.