ALEX Eala got off to a flat start, tried to fight back but ultimately fell short, losing to Colombian Emiliana Arango, 0-6, 6-2, 3-6, in the opening round of the French Open on Sunday night (Philippine time), May 26.

Eala didn’t get the results she wanted in her first appearance in the tournament’s main draw, getting blanked in the opening frame that set the tone for the disappointing finish.

The rain-delayed match saw Eala regaining her composure in the second set, taking a 3-2 lead before the match was halted due to sudden downpour.

The resumption of the match saw Eala break Arango’s serve to win the next two games and tie the match. That proved to be Eala’s last hurrah as Arango raced to a 2-0 lead in the third set to seize control.

The ninth set had Arango jumping to a 40-0 lead. Eala made it 15-40 before Arango sealed the deal with a service winner.

Eala, who just turned 20 last Friday, is not heading home yet despite the loss as she will compete in the women’s doubles, where she will team up with Mexican Renata Zarazua. The duo’s opening assignment will be against Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk and Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse on Wednesday, May 28.(CCM)

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