FILIPINO tennis sensation Alex Eala found the end of the road in the Workday Canberra International in Australia, losing to hard-hitting Wei Sijia of China, 5-7, 2-6, in the semifinal duel Friday, January 3.

The 19-year-old Eala kept the match close early, battling back from a 1-2 deficit to force a 4-all tie in the first set.

Wei, however, recovered her bearings and went on to win the first set. Wei started the second set like a house on fire, opening a huge 5-0 lead and never looked back.

Playing her first tournament for the season, Eala put up a solid showing in the competition that saw her go through qualifying matches.

Eala first defeated Australia’s Catherine Aulia, 6-1, 6-2, and sustained the momentum by taking down Alana Subasic, 5-7, 6-0, 6-1. The two wins allowed Eala to advance to the main draw where she chalked up three wins to make it to the semifinal round.

Eala’s victories in the main draw were against Austria’s Sinja Kraus, 6-2, 6-4; Netherlands’ Arianne Hortono, 6-3, 6-3; and local bet Taylah Preston, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.(CCM)

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• #Alex Eala
• #Workday Canberra International
• #Australia
• #Wei Sijia
• #China
• #Catherine Aulia