W25: Eala bows out in singles event, but moves on in doubles
Photo from Rafa Nadal Academy Facebook
MANILA, Philippines—It was a bittersweet campaign for Alex Eala after she advanced in the doubles tournament but bowed in the singles competition of the W25 Platja D’Aro in Spain Friday (Manila time).
Eala and partner Oksana Selekhmeteva survived a testy three-setter against Russia’s Sofya Lansere and Vlada Koval, 6-2, 3-6, 12-10, and advanced to the semifinals of the doubles competition.
The mixed partnership of Eala and Russia’s Selekhmeteva will face the Netherlands’ Isabella Haverlag and Suzan Lamens of the $25,000 event.
Eala, though, wasn’t as successful in her singles run, getting swept in the second round of the clay event at the hands of Spain’s Irene Burillo Escorhuela 6-2, 6-4.
The 15-year-old Filipina got a bye to the main draw of the competition through the junior exempt program where the top-ranked young players are allotted a number of pro tournament spots within a year.
Eala’s next singles run will be in the 2021 French Open Juniors tournament where she was accepted in the main draw.
