Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala and American partner Katie Volynets suffered an early exit in the women’s doubles competition at the WTA 125-level Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal, falling to fourth-seeded Americans Carmen Corley and Christina Rosca, 6-3, 6-4, in the first round on Wednesday night (Philippine time).
Eala and Volynets made a late push in the second set, rallying from a 1-4 deficit to close the gap at 4-5. However, they were unable to convert a crucial break point, allowing Corley and Rosca to serve out the match and secure the victory.
Rosca and Corley, currently ranked No. 180 and No. 112 in doubles respectively, built early momentum with a 3-0 lead in the second set. Eala and Volynets responded with a brief surge to bring it to 2-3, but couldn’t sustain the comeback.
Despite the early doubles exit, the 19-year-old Eala remains in contention in singles. She is set to face Hungary’s Panna Udvardy (WTA No. 137) in the round of 16 on Thursday.
Udvardy booked her second-round meeting with Eala after dispatching Lian Tran in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3.