Alex Eala failed to get past the opening round of the singles event in the women’s $25,000 (W25) tournament in Madrid, Spain on Wednesday, June 16.

Eala, fresh off a 2021 French Open girls doubles title-winning campaign, fell to tournament No. 5 seed Andrea Lazaro Garcia, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

The Filipina teen tennis sensation looked like she had control of the match, shocking the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) No. 272 with a first-set domination.

But the Spaniard flashed her experience by rallying from a 3-1 deficit in the second set with three straight games to take the advantage.

With the shift in momentum, Lazaro Garcia extended the match to a deciding set.

The 16-year-old tennis ace continued to stay within reach of Lazaro Garcia, but the home bet finished her off with back-to-back games to take the match.

Eala, though, is still in contention for a maiden pro doubles title as she is set to see action in the quarterfinals with partner Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva of Andorra.

Prior to the 2021 French Open, the Filipina and Russian partner Oksana Selekhmeteva warmed up for their doubles conquest in the women’s $25,000 tournament in Platja D’aro, Spain, where they secured a runner-up finish 

Eala was able to qualify for the main draw of the Madrid event via the International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior exempt program.

This is where the top-ranked juniors players are allotted a number of pro tournament spots within the year. – Rappler.com