Alex Eala’s quest for her fourth professional title took another big blow when she got eliminated in the Round of 32 of the W25 Corroios-Seixal Wednesday in Portugal.
South Korean Park So Hyun was the culprit as she dealt the Philippines’ top netter a nasty 4-6, 3-6 beatdown after a little over two hours of action.
It could not yet be determined if Eala’s world No. 261 world rating will be affected by this recent setback.
A graduate of the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy in Mallorca, Spain, Eala, 18, reached the quarterfinals of the W40 Palma del Rio in Spain last month.
Her last title-winning performance took place early last month when she dumped Valentina Ryser of Switzerland, 6-3, 7-5, in the W25 Yecla in Spain.
Eala gets the opportunity to add a fourth when she campaigns in the W100 Vitoria-Gastaeiz starting 17 July.
Aside from boosting her pro career, Eala is using these events to toughen her up for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China from 23 September to 8 October.
The last time she joined the national team was back in 2022 for the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi where she collected three bronze medals in the women’s singles, women’s team and mixed doubles events.
