FILE – Alex Eala in the W25 Madrid. –ALEX EALA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Alex Eala’s torrid run in the W60 Madrid came to a screeching halt on Sunday.
After rolling into the title round of the Open ITF Arcadis Brezo Osuna, Eala failed to find her form and lost, 4-6, 5-7, to hometown bet Marina Bassols Ribera in the women’s singles final.
Eala toppled one seeded player after another on her way to the final before meeting her match in the more experienced Ribera.
Back against the wall, the 17-year-old Eala was in great position to force a decider after taking a 5-0 lead in the second set.
Eala, however, couldn’t keep Ribera at bay as the 22-year-old Spaniard went on a blistering rally to win the $60,000 tournament.
The loss kept Eala from claiming what could’ve been her third pro title.