MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala squandered a blazing start and bowed out in heartbreaking fashion, absorbing a 6-3, 5-7, 3-6 loss to Ukrainian qualifier Oleksandra Oliynykova in the opening round of the Internationaux de Strasbourg.
Eala dictated play early, seizing the first set with authority, but momentum slipped as Oliynykova mounted a fierce response in the second to force a decider. In the final set, luck and timing tilted toward the Ukrainian, who completed the comeback to abruptly end the Filipina’s campaign.
Still, there was some consolation for Eala, who walked away with €17,310 (over P1.2 million) in prize money despite the early exit. TMT
