Eala, who had to go through two qualifying matches to book a main draw berth, failed to sustain her momentum and succumbed to world No. 36 Elise Bertens of Belgium, 7-5, 6-0, before she and Romania’s Oana Gavrila lost to second seed Cristina Bucsa of Spain and Bibiane Schoofs of the Netherlands, 6-3, 6-4.
Eala loses in singles, doubles matches in Tunisia
Oct 18, 2023 03:29 AM
At a glance
Alex Eala yielded to more experienced opponents in the singles and doubles events to bow out of contention in the Jasmin Open Monastir in Tunisia on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Eala, who had to go through two qualifying matches to book a main draw berth, failed to sustain her momentum and succumbed to world No. 36 Elise Bertens of Belgium, 7-5, 6-0, before she and Romania’s Oana Gavrila lost to second seed Cristina Bucsa of Spain and Bibiane Schoofs of the Netherlands, 6-3, 6-4.
The 18-year-old Filipina teen sensation was able to grab a 5-1 lead in the first set against Bertens, but the Belgian, who was ranked No. 1 in the doubles, saved six set points and took 12 straight games to clinch the opener.
Eala lost her steam for then on as Bertens dictated the pace throughout the second frame.
Bertens banked on her strong serves, where she fired six aces to make up for nine double faults.
A victory for Eala could have arranged her a second-round meeting with Iryna Shymanovich, who toppled Brazil’s Laura Pigossi, 6-3, 6-2.
It was a tough defeat for Eala, who was in her first pro tournament since seeing action in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China where she won bronze medals in the singles and mixed doubles.