FILE–Tennis star Alex Eala. –ALEX EALA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala bowed out of contention in the women’s singles and doubles in the W25 Corroios-Seixal in Portugal on Thursday evening (Manila time).
The 17-year-old yielded to Alexandra Bozovic of Australia, 1-6, 6-4, 7-5, in the round of 16.
Eala recovered from a lethargic start and forced a third set, where Bozovic displayed composure to prevail after three hours and 15 minutes.
She opened her singles campaign with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 victory over Eva Guerrero Alvarez of Spain in the round of 32 on Wednesday.
The Rafael Nadal Academy scholar also bid farewell in the doubles.
Eala and Fil-Aussie partner Lizette Cabrera fell to the No.1 seed tandem of Justina Mikulskyte of Lithuania and Hong Kong’s Hong Yi Cody Wong, 5-7, 4-6, in the quarterfinals.
The pair opened their campaign with a walkover win before bombing out of contention.
A third professional singles title remained elusive for Eala, who last won a championship in W25 Chiang Rai last April.
Eala also absorbed a round of 16 exit in the W25 Palma del Rio singles and reached the doubles semis last week.