Alexandra “Alex” Eala’s singles run at the Abu Dhabi Open came to an end after she fell to Ekaterina Alexandrova, 6-3, 6-3, in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
The 20-year-old Filipina had previously defeated Zeynap Sonmez, 6-4, 6-3, and Aliaksandra Sasnovich, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(5), in the first two rounds.
In the second set of the quarterfinal match, Alexandrova built an early 3-1 lead, which Eala briefly erased to tie the set. The world No. 11, however, used her experience to close out the match.
Eala will still compete in the doubles tournament alongside Janice Tjen, starting with the quarterfinals.
Following her Abu Dhabi campaign, Eala is set to continue her Middle East swing at the Qatar Open.
This year alone, Eala reached the semis of the ASB Classic and made a first round exit in the Australian Open.
In the Philippine Women’s Open, she reached the quarterfinals where she fell to eventual champion Camila Osorio.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
