Alex Eala of Philippines trains during the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 24, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines – Alex Eala was sent to an early exit after yielding to Madison Brengle of the United States, 6-2, 6-1, in the opening round of the Miami Open on Thursday (Manila time) at Hard Rock Stadium.
The 16-year-old Filipino tennis prodigy, ranked No. 565, succumbed to the more experienced World No. 59 opponent in one hour and 12 minutes.
Brengle, twice the age of Eala, schooled the young Filipino using her strength and experience to forge a round of 64 duel with Russian Luidmila Samsonova.
It was Eala’s second time competing at the Miami Open after she competed last year and lost to Slovakian Viktoria Kuzmova, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the opening round of the qualifying draw.
Eala was handed a wildcard entry for the second straight year but this time in the main draw. She already played six tournaments this year including three events in France and a pair of events in Spain.