Alex Eala falls short, exits Ningbo Open

Photo from alex.eala/Instagram

Battling through yet another tough tournament, Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala faced an early exit at the Ningbo Open in China, marking her second straight setback. 

The Rafa Nadal Academy student succumbed to Australia’s Priscilla Hon, 4-6, 3-6, in the first round of qualifying matches on Sunday. Despite her best efforts, the young netter struggled to counter Hon’s dominant serve, which delivered nine aces throughout the match.

The 19-year-old Eala, ranked No. 148 in the world and 11th-seeded in the tournament, was up against the 210th-ranked Hon.

Throughout the game, Eala battled with consistency, committing eight double faults. Hon’s performance on her serve was particularly effective, winning 41 service points compared to Eala’s 30. 

The result was a decisive win for the Australian, sending Eala out of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 500 event.

This defeat came shortly after Eala’s challenging experience at the Wuhan Open just days prior. Competing in the round of 64, Eala was ousted after a 3-6, 1-6 loss against her opponent in Hubei, China.

Despite her strong efforts, the match lasted only an hour and 25 minutes. Eala was the lowest-seeded player in the main draw, competing against more experienced wildcard entries such as world No. 60 Katie Volynets from the United States and world No. 80 Jaqueline Cristian from Romania.

Reflecting on her performance, the young Filipina athlete shared a positive outlook on social media. She expressed her gratitude for the support from her sponsors and fans and vowed to return stronger next year, stating, “Next year I’ll be back better.” 

Eala remains committed to her growth and progress as she continues to navigate the challenges of professional tennis at the global stage. As she reflects on this milestone in her career, Eala is determined to learn from her experiences and come back stronger.