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Alex Eala bows to Canadian rival in Hong Kong Open

Sports

Alex Eala bows to Canadian rival in Hong Kong Open

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

At A Glance

Alex Eala came through with a hot start but lost her steam in the pivotal third set to succumb to Canadian third seed Victoria Mboko, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, in the second round of the Hong Kong Tennis Open on Thursday, Oct. 29.

(Alex Eala IG post)

(Alex Eala IG post)

Alex Eala came through with a hot start but lost her steam in the pivotal third set to succumb to Canadian third seed Victoria Mboko, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, in the second round of the Hong Kong Tennis Open on Thursday, Oct. 29.

The unseeded Eala appeared solid after a dominant opening frame but the hard-serving Mboko, who has been enjoying an explosive season with a career-high ranking of No. 21, rose to the occasion in the second set and forge a decider.

The Filipina tennis sensation was actually leading 4-1 after breaking Mboko's serve twice, but the Canadian standout held her serve in the sixth game to trim the gap at 4-2.

But that served as the turning point in the match as Mboko went on to win four more games to prevail.

The win became sweeter for Mboko, who made up for her eight double faults by firing seven aces.

A victory for Eala could have set her up a quarterfinal date with sixth seed Anna Kalinskaya, who routed Zhang Shuai, 6-, 6-1.

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