FILE–Filipino tennis star Alex Eala. RAFA NADAL ACADEMY PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Alex Eala couldn’t make it past the second round, losing to former doubles partner Oksana Selekhmeteva of Russia, 6-3, 6-3, in the ITF W25 Joue les Tours Friday at Tennis Club Jocondien in France.
It was a rough showing for the 16-year-old Filipino tennis ace as she squandered a 3-2 lead in the second set allowing Selekhmeteva to find her rhythm to close the match out.
Selekhmeteva will next face France’s Audrey Albie in the penultimate round of the $25,000 tournament.
Before her exit, Eala had a terrific start to the French tournament dominating Fabienne Gettwart, 6-2, 6-0, and Anna Ozeroba, 6-0, 6-1 to make it to the main draw before beating Jenny Lim, 6-1, 6-4 in the opening round.
Selekhmeteva and Eala had a memorable run in one of their partnerships in 2021 when they won the French Open girls’ doubles title beating Maria Bondarenko and Amarissa Kiara Tóth, 6-0, 7-5.