Alex Eala competes in the W60 Nantes tournament. Photo from Alex Eala’s Facebook
MANILA, Philippines—Alex Eala crashed out in the semifinal of the W60 Nantes tournament in France.
After displaying her resiliency on the way to the semis, Eala crumbled against American-born Czech Gabriela Knutson, 6-2, 3-6, 1-6, on Saturday (Manila time).
Eala, the world No. 193rd, started strong as she zoomed to a 5-1 start en route to a dominant opening set win.
The 18-year-old Eala was coming off a 6-4, 2-0 win over French Leolia Jeanjean in the quarterfinal that saw her rally from 1-4 down. But the Filipino tennis ace got a dose of her own medicine against Knutson, who made a comeback of her own after dropping the first set.
The 26-year-old Knutson displayed her experience in the next two sets with her composure allowing her to rally and take the final two sets.
Knutson will take on home bet Oceane Dodin in the final.
Eala, meanwhile, shifts her focus to the ITF W40 Petange in Luxembourg, later this month.