FILE – Alex Eala in the third leg of the ITF Rafa Nadal Academy World Tennis Tour. RAFA NADAL ACADEMY
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala came up short in her campaign to enter the main draw of the Miami Open.
Eala fell at the hands of Slovakia’s Viktoria Kuzmova, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the qualifying round of the Miami Open Tuesday in Miami, Florida.
The rising Filipino teen, however, put up a valiant effort as she made things tough for the much-higher ranked Kuzmova.
The 22-year-old Kuzmova advanced into the main draw where the likes of world No. 1 Ash Barty and Naomi Osaka will compete.
It was a gutsy showing by Eala, who’s No. 737 in the WTA rankings battling a 104th ranked foe.
The 15-year-old Eala has been having a solid campaign so far this year which she began by winning her first pro title.