By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
FILIPINA tennis sensation Alex Eala ended her US Open Juniors campaign, losing to Thai star Mai Napatt Nirundorn in straight sets, 7-5,6-3.
Eala got into an early groove but the Thai was able to match Eala’s power on the baseline, preventing the Filipina from capitalizing on rallies.
With a first set that should have gone her way, Eala displayed a much better second set, but Nirundorn also played tremendously, outworking Eala and limited the latter to only 3 games in the second set.
In the doubles event, Eala also lost together with partner Elvina Kalieva against France’s Aubane Droguet and Selena Janicijevic, 6-3,6-3.
The Filipina is planning to take a break and rest for a bit before joining other circuit tournaments overseas but is eyeing the Australian Open in Melbourne this coming January.
