Alex Eala weathered a storm in the singles but got blown away in doubles play in the W25 Roehampton tournament Friday at the National Tennis Center in London, England.
Eala turned back Australian Destanee Aiava, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, in the Round-of-16 in what turned out to be a bittersweet win since her victim is her doubles partner.
But victory was not handed to the 18-year-old Filipino netter on a silver platter as she needed two hours and 32 minutes to get the job done.
At press time, Eala, a product of the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy, was battling another entry from Down Under, Priscilla Hon.
In pursuit of her fourth singles crown, Eala then teamed up with Aiava but their partnership fell to the top seed tandem of Sarah Grey of Great Britain and Petra Hule, 1-6, 5-7, in another Round-of-16 clash.
Eala, the former US Open junior champion, is revving up for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou from 23 September until 8 October.
