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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala yields to unseeded Bucsa in US Open second round

Alex Eala yields to unseeded Bucsa in US Open second round

Published Aug 28, 2025 02:42 am
Alex Eala bows out in the US Open. (File Photo/AP)
Alex Eala bows out in the US Open. (File Photo/AP)
Alex Eala’s campaign at the US Open came to an abrupt end after falling to unseeded Cristina Bucsa, 6-4, 6-3, in the second round early Thursday, Aug. 28 (Philippine time).
The 20-year-old Eala was unable to build on a 4-3 lead in the opening set and eventually dropped her serve three times in the second, sealing her early exit from the tournament.
Despite the loss, Eala leaves the tournament with a historic milestone under her belt -- securing her first-ever Grand Slam main draw victory in the opening round against world No. 14 Clara Tauson just days earlier.
It was a close fight early in the match, with both players breaking back each other’s serves in the first two games.
But the world No. 95 Bucsa, who is ranked 20 rungs lower than Eala, showed her grit in the eighth game, holding serve after a hard-fought deuce to level the match at 4-all, then riding the momentum to take the next two games and clinch the opening set.
Eala fought back in the second set by taking an early 2-1 lead, but the Moldovan-born Spaniard was quick to retaliate, taking the next two games to seize the 3-2 advantage.
The top Filipina tennis player refused to give up the fight, breaking her opponent’s serve in the sixth game to tie the count at 3-all, but it turned out to be her last stand as Bucsa went on to win the next three games en route to the match victory.
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