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Eala yields to Mertens in Bad Homburg opener

Sports

Eala yields to Mertens in Bad Homburg opener

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

At A Glance

Coming off a semifinal stint at the Berlin Open less than two days ago, the 21-year-old Eala simply couldn't find her fiery form against her more seasoned rival to yield after one hour and 24 minutes.

Alex Eala (File Photo/ AP)

Alex Eala (File Photo/ AP)

Alex Eala crashed out early in the 2026 Bad Homburg Open with a 6-3, 6-3 loss to higher-ranked Elise Mertens in Germany early Tuesday, June 23 (Philippine time).

Coming off a semifinal stint at the Berlin Open less than two days ago, the 21-year-old Eala simply couldn’t find her fiery form against her more seasoned rival to yield after one hour and 24 minutes.

Overall, the Filipina dropped her serve four times while breaking Mertens only once despite racing to an early 3-1 lead in the opening set.

This was Eala’s third defeat to the world No. 26 Belgian, with her previous losses coming in the 2023 ITF Monastir and the Mutua Madrid Open last April.

Eala is still in contention in the doubles, though, with her highly-anticipated pairing with Venus Williams slated to debut on Wednesday, June 24, against Alexandra Osborne and Catherine Harrison.

Incidentally, Williams also lost her opening singles match a few hours before Eala’s, bowing to Irina-Camelia Begu, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (6).

Related Tags

Alex Eala WTA Elise Mertens Bad Homburg Open

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